Elisra Electronic Systems and Lockheed Martin have signed a co-operation agreement to market previously competing electronic warfare (EW) suites for the F-16.
Under the deal, EW systems from Elisra and Lockheed Martin's Sanders subsidiary will be offered as baseline systems on the F-16. The agreement, which covers the sale of new aircraft and the upgrade of existing fighters, is significant in its timing.
Israel is expected to decide soon on its next fighter purchase, which could be for as many as 110 aircraft. An advanced version of the Block 50/52 F-16C/D is believed to be the preferred option, but the order could be divided with purchase of a further Boeing F-15I, which is in danger of going out of production.
Israel has fitted all of its F-16 fighters with locally produced EW packages from Elisra or Elta. The country's two-seat Block 30 F-16Ds are equipped with the Elisra SP3000 self-protection jammer in enlarged dorsal spines.
An Israeli EW system is believed to be fitted to Singapore's new Block 52 F-16C/Ds.
In another development aimed at the F-16, Israeli Aircraft Industries' Lahav division and Elbit Systems have unveiled their Avionics Capabilities upgrade.
Lahav and Elbit, working with Lockheed Martin, are offering the upgrade for Israeli air force F-16A/Bs. The first flight of a modified aircraft is due late next year and modification to the Israeli fleet, if given the go-ahead, could begin in early 2001.
Lahav and Elbit have completed preliminary design of an upgraded cockpit that includes three 127 x 178mm (5 x 7in) multifunction liquid crystal displays from Astronautics/Elbit and an El-Op wide-angle head-up display that will be integrated with Elbit's display and sight helmet, allowing the pilot to select either system as the primary display.
Elbit up-front control panels, digital moving map displays and embedded global positioning/inertial navigation systems will be fitted.
Source: Flight International
