NETANYA, Israel, 3 March 2005. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. today announced that it has successfully completed the prototype of the avionic upgrade project for the A-4 "Skyhawk" for the Israeli Air Force. The ceremony presenting the prototype for the first time will take place today at the Israeli Air Force base in Hazerim.
RADA won its first A-4 "Skyhawk" contract with the Israeli Air Force in January 2003, for the supply of the ACE-II system for advanced debriefing. The system operates in conjunction with a ground system that shows the pilot his flight performance in video and three-dimensional graphics. At the beginning of 2004, the project, led by RADA, turned into a full avionics system upgrade. The upgrade program includes design and installation of a Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) and Global Positioning System (GPS) based navigation system, Head-Up Display (HUD) units, weapons management and control systems, and an advanced display and control system for the pilot. In the project, all Skyhawk jets used by the Israeli air force will be upgraded, half are single-seater models and the remainder are twin-seater models.
The Israeli Air Force recognizes the importance of advanced debriefing system, which enables better and more efficient training program for pilots, and always ensures that it uses the best debriefing systems available. Today, a significant portion of fighter jets used by the Israeli Air Force are equipped with debriefing systems made by RADA. The new F-16I squadrons of the Israeli Air Force are also equipped with the "Reality" system, one of the most advanced debriefing systems made by RADA.
"The selection of RADA, for performing an upgrade project, by the Israeli Air Force is proof of its trust in RADA -- both its people and its products. We are proud to be partners in such a special event for the defense industry, in which the first upgraded prototype jet will be presented and will be known from now on as "The Improved Skyhawk." The performance of the jet, as test-flights have proved so far, will guarantee that also in the future, the Air Force Flight Academy will have the best and most advanced jets for training the Israeli pilots of tomorrow," said Adar Azancot, RADA's CEO.
In the upgrade program, RADA co-operated with the LAHAV division of Israel Aircraft Industries. IAI will also be maintaining these jets during their use by the Israeli Air Force. In addition, other Israeli companies including Nir Or and Vectop have been working with RADA, as subcontractors, on the program. Vectop, whose assets were recently acquired by RADA, is engaged in the design, development and marketing of electro-optic and debriefing equipment. It was the supplier of the camera for the Head-Up Display units.
RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. is an Israel based company involved in the military and commercial aerospace industries, with 110 staff. The company specializes in Avionics, Ground Debriefing Stations (Video, ACMI and Maintenance) and Electro optic cameras for a/c and armored vehicles. For more information, see www.rada.com.
