Military

Israel Aircraft Industries F-21 KFIR Aircraft Returns to America to Support U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Training Programs

Jun 14, 2003

The Kfirs have flown a total of 85 Missions since their Arrival

Two F-21 Kfir jet fighter aircraft, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are now in the UnitedF-21 KFIR Taking OffStates to support special high performance training programs for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), an American company that specializes in providing air-to-air electronic attack and adversary training for both services, leased the Kfirs from IAI.

Since ATAC has acquired the Kfirs, they have flown over 40 missions under their U.S. Navy contract, and over 30 missions under their U.S Air Force contract. In addition, the Kfirs have flown 15 mission dedicated to research and development efforts. All mission have been declared successful.

IAI designed and manufactured Kfir fighters were originally designated the F-21 by the Department of Defense when both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps leased Kfirs from Israel's Ministry of Defense in the mid-80s, to perform aggressor and adversary missions.

"We are very pleased that ATAC selected the Kfirs to fulfill the mission requirements covered by their contracts with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force," said Mr. David Dagan, General Manager of IAI's Lahav Division. "Lahav will fully support ATAC through pilot training, maintenance and spares."

ATAC, headquartered in Virginia, was awarded contracts in 2002 by both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Air Force contract was awarded by the Air Combat Command to perform dissimilar and electronic attack training called Joint Airborne Tactical Electronic Combat Training (JATEC). The two contracts combined have an annual potential of more than $15 million.

"IAI's Kfir aircraft are much more cost-effective to perform these missions than the service's front line assets, while still delivering similar performance," said Jeff Parker, ATAC's President. "It also saves life on U.S. Military aircraft and enhances the quality of the military's dissimilar training. Each of the Kfir aircraft will have zero-time engines and airframes, completely refurbished by IAI. IAI's support will help ensure aircraft availability, reliability and safety for the entire operation," added Parker.

ATAC has performed a variety of special training missions since its inception in 1997. These include air-to-air electronic attack, air-to-ship threat simulation and electronic warfare and towed radar decoy programs. In the past ATAC used two F-35 Draken aircraft. The Kfirs are expected to perform against most of the U.S. Navy's high performance aircraft, including the F-14/A/B/D and the F/A - 18C/D Hornets and the U.S. Air Force F-15C/D/E and Air National Guard F-16s.

ATAC is currently negotiating for additional service contracts, which could lead to the acquisition of additional Kfir fighters from IAI.

Established in 1953, Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. (IAI) is Israel's largest high-tech concern and a globally recognized leader for the defense and commercial markets. IAI provides unique and cost-effective technological solutions for a broad spectrum of needs in space, air, land, sea and homeland defense. In fulfilling overseas contracts, the company works with domestic partners through technology transfer and other agreements.

IAI is an established leader in a vast number of fields including: unmanned air and ground vehicles, radars, secure communications, AEW, EW, ELINT/ESM, SIGINT and COMINT/COMJAM, air-to-air refueling, maintenance, upgrading and conversion of military aircraft and helicopters, Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missiles (ATBM), optronic payloads, navigation, smart weapons, missiles, commercial satellites and launchers, mine detection, clearing and breaching systems and many other core technologies, products and services.

IAI holds the prestigious ISO 9001 certification and its products and technologies are fully backed by comprehensive Integrated Logistic Support (ILS), training, and complete after-sales service.

For further information, contact:

Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 93 5-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il