Page 28 - World Airnews Magazine July Edition 2020

MILITARY AFRICA

LORA BALLISTIC MISSILE TRIAL A SOULTION FOR AFRICAN

COMPLETED AIRLINE OWNERSHHIP

By James Geldenhuys, head of

srael Aerospace Industries (IAI) has aircraft finance Nedbank CIB
Icompleted a dual operati onal fi ring trial
with LORA (Long-Range Artillery Weapon SUCH AS ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES AND

System), a precise ballistic strike missile. UNTIL RECENTLY KENYAN AIRWAYS.
The trial was designed and performed orld Airnews Editor Heidi IN MOST CASES IT IS BECAUSE
under COVID-19 restrictions as part of IAI’s WGibson had the chance to GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IS

work plan, which includes demonstrating engage with James Geldenhuys and sound KEPT AT A MINIMUM – WOULD
the capabilities of the advanced system to him out on the state of the airline industry YOU AGREE WITH THIS BUSINESS

customers. in Africa with special focus on what the MODEL? WHAT IN YOUR OPINION
Held in the open sea, the trial included potential scenarios could be for SAA and IS THE RIGHT BUSINESS MODEL

the launch of two long-range LORA missiles other African airlines. FOR A SUCCESSFUL AIRLINE
OWNERSHIP AND PLEASE PROVIDE
to a pre-defined hit point at sea. REASONS?

The complex trial included two scenarios is a sea-to-ground and ground-to-ground globe. The impressive results of the trial QUESTION: WHEN THE STATE
to test and demonstrate LORA’s advanced system which comprises a long-range ballistic prove the system’s maturity and state-of- COULD NOT BAIL OUT THE Answer: I do think that Ethiopian Airlines

capabilities. The first scenario involved a missile, a unique launcher, a command and the-art capabilities.” ENTERPRISE, IT WAS PLACED IN is a true success story for Africa and

short-range launch to 90 km and the sec- control system, and a ground/marine support “I would like to thank Israel's navy, air BUSINESS RESCUE AND THEY it has grown steadily and sustainably
ond to a long range of 400 km. system. The LORA system provides ballistic force, and Israeli ministry of defence for TOLD STAFF THAT IT COULD NOT over the past couple of years. The key

AFFORD TO PAYS SALARIES. NOW

In its ground version, the weapon system assault capabilities for multiple ranges with a the collaboration and assistance in this success factor seem to be minimal, if
was deployed on a ship in the open sea to precision level of 10 meters CEP. trial," he said. THERE IS A COURT CHALLENGE any, shareholder interference. But then
ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF SUCH.
comply with the safety requirements of Boaz Levy, IAI's EVP and general manager LORA was developed at IAI’s systems, mis- AGAINST THIS BACKDROP again, Ethiopian has been performing
trials of this type. The missile was launched of the systems, missiles and space group, siles and space group. The group boasts a long BUSINESS RESCUE PRACTITIONERS very well in line with their clearly com-
municated business objectives and plans.

from an operational system that comprises said “The complex trial, performed under record in air-defence systems, such as the RECENTLY STATED THAT THERE

a command trailer and a ground launcher. COVID-19 limitations, demonstrated the Arrow 2 and 3, the Barak 8, loitering missiles IS STILL A CHANCE TO SAVE THE Furthermore, the airline consistently over

years had a very strong management team
Under both scenarios, the missile was advanced capabilities of both IAI and LORA, and countless missile and satellite systems, AIRLINE. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS providing the continuity to serve their

launched to its trajectory, navigated its our strategic missile system. The trial was such as observation satellites, nano-satellites, THE SOLUTION FOR THE NATIONAL passengers with humility.
course to the target, and hit it with utmost executed according to a fully functional communication satellites (including Dror, the CARRIER – GIVEN THAT YOU HAVE

precision. Both the weapon system and design, which tested the system’s manoeu- national communication satellite). SAID – A PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IS Kenya Airways has tried the private

the missile successfully met all of the trial’s vring, strike, and precision, as well as tech- The group has also co-built the Beresheet NOT THE ANSWER? ownership route as a listed company.
objectives. Given the COVID-19 restrictions, nological developments and enhancements spacecraft which travelled to the moon on This worked to an extent, but what be-

the trial was executed with a portable trial introduced by our engineers. Performing its first mission. IAI is a national and global Answer: Shareholder objectives are of came clear is that once again shareholder

field and a capsule team, which managed a trial with this level of complexity during technological hub for air defence, radars, the utmost importance and will drive objectives were more important. It fur-
the trial remotely. these days is a testament to IAI’s unwaver- satellites, unmanned vehicles, civilian avia- the strategy of the airline. Any business, thermore needed to be aligned amongst

the shareholders. Operating an airline is
Developed by IAI’s MALAM division, LORA ing commitment to our clients across the tion, and cyber. Q irrespective of the ownership structure,

size or market it finds itself in, must a very complicated business and often

abide to the universal laws of business. links into many industries facilitating SAY GOODBYE TO A NATIONAL
These objectives need to be clear and trade through movement of people and CARRIER – THAT HAS SOMETIMES

NUCLEAR furthermore supported by the required goods. It is therefore a cyclical business BEEN ACCUSED OF STRONG-ARMED
capital, provided by the shareholders. which needs cash reserves for the diffi- TACTICS, TAKING UP ALL THE SLOTS
The management must be empowered to cult times, or alternatively support from AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR
NUCLEAR BOMB DESIGN determine the relevant strategies which shareholders in one form or the other. PLANES TO LAND CLOSE TO THE
When shareholder objectives are not
would be required to manage the business
TERMINAL - CLEAR THE PLAYING
in accordance to these clearly stated
aligned, it will be more difficult to obtain

TAKE UP THE SPACE? WHAT IS YOUR
ment for the weapon,” Steven Samuels, capability on the F-15E in the coming objectives. support from the various shareholders. FIELDS AND ALLOW OTHERS TO
In the current difficult economic environ-
For government-owned airlines, the ob-
a manager with Sandia’s B61-12 system’s years,” Brig. Gen. Ty Neuman, NNSA’s jectives are often more than just profitabil- ment, the economic facilitation objective RESPONSE TO THIS POSITION?

merica’s newest nuclear bomb team, said. principal assistant deputy administrator ity, despite the importance of profitability of the Kenyan Government is of greater Answer: Competition is generally good

“The flight test is really everything

Adesign has been successfully coming together to say we’re good.” for military application, said in a state- for any airline to be sustainable. Once importance and therefore the airline’s for a fully functioning market. Airlink and
ment. “Once delivered, this capability

tested on the F-15E, making the Strike will underpin our nation’s deterrent and again, if this is the case, it must always be strategic importance to the economy is FlySafair are successful since their first

The B61-12 programme will replace the

Eagle the first fighter jet to be officially B61-3, -4, -7 and -10 nuclear gravity bomb strengthen our NATO partnerships.” clearly communicated to all stakeholders. resulting in more willingness to support priority is safety at all times - they are also

relentlessly working at being efficient and

compatible with the B61-12 design. variants with a new warhead design. The An NNSA estimate puts the likely cost Government objectives typically may in- by the Government. This objective might have therefore done well despite it being

Two test flights were flown twice in warhead is being developed and produced of the programme between (US) $8 clude economic growth facilitation, i.e. spe- not be shared or understood by the other a difficult task. With these objectives,

shareholders and we therefore see the

March at the Tonopah Test Range in by the National Nuclear Security Admin- billion to (US) $9 billion. The upgraded cific routes supported even though it may Kenyan Government stepping up to possi- they will only fly economically viable

Nevada, according to a release by Sandia istration, a semi-independent agency variant will be certified on America’s be operating at a loss; such as, connectivity bly become the sole shareholder. routes, as they should. Connectivity is a

Labs. The mock weapon was released on located within the department of energy, F-15, F-16 and B-2 aircraft, as well as on with trade partner countries and support- different objective, which clearly might

one test at about 1,000 feet and at nearly while the Pentagon is developing new tail aircraft for NATO member nations. The ing tourism. This objective will be further QUESTION: AS SAA FALTERS A be more important for a government. I

the speed of sound, while a higher-alti- kit assemblies for the design. F-35 is expected to go through certifica- influenced by the country’s geographic FEW REGIONAL AIRLINES SUCH think that we have a very competitive

tude test occurred at around 25,000 feet; “The success of these tests is a major tion on the weapon at some point in the location and in our instance being located AS FLYSAFAIR AND AIRLINK - market and therefore domestic airfares

both tests hit the target as designed. milestone on the path to full rate pro- next decade. The weapon passed its final at the bottom of the continent. PRIVATELY OWNED OPERATIONS are very competitive. With SAA capacity

“It’s representative of the environ- duction and the B61-12’s initial operation design review in October 2018. Q QUESTION: THERE ARE A FEW - ARE MAKING A SUCCESS OF disappearing from the market, we will see

AFRICAN AIRLINE SUCCESS STORIES THINGS. PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO an uptick in airfares. Q

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