IAI/Elta and IMI Partner To Protect Passenger Aircraft Against
Missiles
IAI's Elta Systems and Israel Military Industries (IMI) have signed
a joint venture agreement to develop FlightGuard, a system which
protects passenger aircraft against the threat of missile attacks.
Development and certification are expected to be completed by
the end of this year, at which time FlightGuard could become the
first civil aircraft protection system on the market. The system
is flying on a Boeing 737 converted by IAI into a technology demonstrator
that is on display at Paris.
IAI and IMI are focusing their marketing efforts at the commercial
and business aircraft sectors. Since development risks are considerably
reduced by utilizing operationally proven systems, FlightGuard
is expected to be very competitive in pricing and availability.
Development activity has been encouraged by the Government of
Israel according to a directive from prime minister Ariel Sharon,
and is carried out under the supervision of the Civil Aviation
Authority. The system is based on of two main components-Elta's
sophisticated, combat-proven radar system, which detects surface-to-air
shoulder-launched missiles and immediately activates countermeasures;
and IMI's countermeasures dispensing system, which jams heat-seeking
missiles causing them to veer off course.
