Colorado-based Advanced Technology Group (ATG) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are to announce a joint venture to co-develop the Javelin very light jet as a civil personal transport and an advanced military trainer. "With this agreement we're taking it to the next level," says ATG president George Bye, who describes the relationship with IAI as a "strategic alignment" between the two companies. Details are being revealed at NBAA, although it is believed the agreement covers joint development, manufacture and marketing. ATG will assume responsibility for the commercial variant, while IAI's Lahav division will oversee development and production of the advanced trainer variant with IAI avionics. ATG, which unveiled the virtually complete prototype at subcontractor Soloy in Olympia, Washington on the eve of NBAA, expects to begin taxi tests of the Williams FJ33-4-powered aircraft "within a few weeks".
Source: Flight International
