Israel Aerospace Industries

Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: התעשייה האווירית לישראל "ha-ta`aSiyyâh ha-'awîrît lë-yiSrâ'êl") or IAI (תע"א ta`a') is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007.

In addition to local construction of fighter aircraft, IAI also builds civil aircraft (for Gulfstream, on the G100/G150 and G200) and performs local maintenance of foreign-built military and civilian aircraft. In addition, the company works on a number of missile and avionics systems. In 2003, Israel Aircraft Industries attempted to enter the VLJ (Very Light Jet) Market, by launching the Avocet ProJet, a 6-8 seat, high utilization air taxi, with a list price almost half the cost of the least expensive business jet available at that time.

In early 2006, the ProJet stalled after a major undisclosed US OEM pulled out of the program due to unspecified reasons.

Although the IAI main focus is aviation and high-tech electronics, it also manufactures military systems for ground and naval forces. Many of these products are specially suited for Israeli Defence Forces needs, while others are also marketed to foreign militaries.

On November 6, 2006 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. ("IAI") officially changed its corporate name to Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. The purpose of the name change is to more accurately reflect the current scope of IAI's business activities, which today includes not just aircraft, but also systems, satellites and launchers, as well as maritime and ground systems.

The company is currently working with the Aviation Technology Group on a military trainer version of the ATG Javelin, a fighter style personal jet. The version being developed is expected to compete against a large field of jet trainers at a much lower cost of acquisition and maintenance.

Products

Civilian Air systems

* Arava - medium sized STOL transport aircraft (no longer in production)
* Westwind business jet (no longer in production)
* Astra/Galaxy business jets (now produced for Gulfstream Aerospace as the G100/G200)
* IAI Avocet ProJet Revolutionary Very Light Jet [http://www.avocetprojet.com/images/exterior1.jpg] (program cancelled)
* Conversion of passenger aircraft to cargo aircraft
** B737-300
** B767-200
** B747-400
** Other models in development
* 'Flight Guard' infrared countermeasures system against MANPAD anti-aircraft missiles [cite news|url=http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?docID=25873&FolderID=28973&lang=en&PageNum=3|title=IAI/Elta's "Flight Guard" Commercial Aircraft Protection System Funded|date=September 8, 2003|publisher=Israeli Aerospace Industries]

Military air systems

* Lavi - an Israeli fighter jet, abandoned due to lack of budget
* Kfir - fighter jet, derivative of the French Mirage 5
* Nesher - fighter jet
* UAV's - unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured by IAI's MALAT division:
** Pioneer (with the USA)
** RQ-5 Hunter (with the USA)
** Heron
** Harpy
** Ranger
** Scout
** Searcher
** Skylite - Canister Launched mini-UAV system
* Rafael Python 5 air-to-air missile (together with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.)
* Upgrades to F-16 and F-15, and foreign MiG-21 jet fighters
* Upgrades to Sikorsky CH-53 Yas'ur in project "Yas'ur 2000"
* Avionics upgrades for the Ka-50-2 Erdogan gunship in collaboration with Kamov
* Phalcon air surveillance system
* Eitam

Ground defense systems

* IDF Caterpillar D9R's armor kit
* Nimrod and LAHAT ATGMs

Ground transportation

* Assembly of IC3 diesel multiple unit trains and double-decker railway coaches under license from Bombardier Transportation

Naval systems

* Gabriel missile sea-to-sea missile
* Super Dvora Mk-III patrol boat [http://www.iai.co.il/site/en/iai.asp?pi=23048&doc_id=33550]

Aerospace systems

* EROS, Amos and Ofeq Satellite series
* Arrow anti-ballistic missile defence system
* Shavit space launcher
* Middle East Newsline has reported that IAI will launch one or more CubeSats by the end of 2008. [cite web | url = http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2007/may/05_17_4.html | title = ISRAEL PLANS NANO-SATELLITE LAUNCH | publisher = Middle East Newsline]
* TecSAR reconnaissance satellite, launched on 2008-01-21 [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2244324,00.html |title=Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran |accessdaymonth=22 January |accessyear=2008 |date=2008-01-21 |work=Guardian Unlimited]

Manufacturing plants

:" [http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?FolderID=18657&lang=en official org-chart (January 2, 2007)] "
* Systems, Missiles & Space Group
** Malam - integration
** Mabat - missiles and satellites
** Tamam - inertial guidance and electro-optic systems
* Military Aircraft Group
** Lahav - aircraft upgrades
** Mata - helicopter upgrades
** Golan Industries - crash survival seats and other aircraft parts
** Malat - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
* Elta - Radars, electronic warfare and ELINT
* Bedek - aircraft maintenance
** Aircraft Division - Conversion of passenger aircraft to cargo aircraft, heavy aircraft maintenance
** Engines Division - Repair and overhaul of civil and military aircraft engines
** Components Division - Repair and overhaul of civil and military aircraft components
* Commercial Aircraft Group
** Ramta - railcars, patrol boats etc.
** Aerostructures -
*** Shahal - landing gear and other aircraft parts
** Technologies -
** Business Jets -
** Engineering Division - aircraft manufacturing and integration

ee also

*Military equipment of Israel

References

External links

* [http://www.iai.co.il/Templates/Homepage/Homepage.aspx?lang=EN Israel Aerospace Industries] - official site.
* [http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?FolderID=14467&lang=en&res=0&pos=0 MBT Space Division]