Homeland Security

IAI/Elta's "Flight Guard" Commercial Aircraft Protection System Funded By Israel Ministry Of Transportation

Sep 8, 2003

Israel's Ministry of Transportation has provided a budget of approximately $1.4 million to Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Systems' subsidiary to perform advanced flight tests of Elta's commercial aircraft Flight Guard protection system. Part of the funding will also be used to obtain certification of the system by Israel's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the equivalent of the United States' Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

Following a successful flight test program and CAA certification, Flight Guard will be installed on Israeli airliners.

The Flight Guard system can protect commercial airliners against shoulder missiles launched by terrorists.

The Flight Guard system combines two main components:

- An ELTA advanced radar-based Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) for detection of shoulder-launched missiles fired at the aircraft. The MAWS detects instantaneously the incoming missiles and automatically activates countermeasures to divert the missiles.

- An advanced countermeasure dispensing system manufactured by Israel Military Industries' (IMI) Rocket Systems Division that diverts the approaching heat seeking missiles from the aircraft. The countermeasure Dispenser System is based on similar systems developed by IMI for the Israel Air Force (IAF) and is recognized as one of the most advanced systems of its kind worldwide.

Mr. Israel Livnat, IAI's Corp. V.P. & President of Elta Systems said, "We were allocated $1.4 million to finish the licensing process for the system. The systems will be installed first on El Al's Boeing jets."

"Elta's Flight Guard is a proven missile detection and avoidance system that is already installed on 150 military aircraft and helicopters as well as on several VIP commercial aircraft. Installing the system on El Al planes will boost international marketing of the system because El Al is a global leader in airline security," Mr. Livnat added.

For more information please contact:

Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp. V.P. for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
E-mail: hpaz@iai.co.il