Page 14 - World Airnews Magazine February 2020 Edition

BUSINESS JETS AEROSPACE

IAI TO DEVELOP AND BUILD

ISRAEL’S ‘DROR 1’

srael Aerospace Industries will develop

Iand build Israel’s national communica-
tion satellite, the ‘Dror 1’ that is intended

to meet the satellite communication needs

of the country for the next 15 years.
The Dror 1 is comprised primarily of local
Israeli technologies developed at IAI, includ-

ing an advanced digital communication pay-

load and ‘smartphone in space’ capabilities,

to provide communication agility through-

out the satellite’s lifetime in space.
The agreement signed between the
Israeli government and IAI in recent days
represents the initiation of the govern-

ment’s decision from September 2018 to

promote a long-term strategy for Israeli observation satellites, nano-satellites, satel- constructive collaboration between IAI and

satellite communications. lite launchers, as well as the Beresheet lunar the government ministries.

This government decision stems from lander, which reached the moon in 2019. “In recent years, IAI has invested massively
the understanding that the capability for IAI is the national hub of expertise for in R&D to preserve Israel’s current satellite

SPEED, COMFORT AND communication independence is of critical radars, satellites, UAVs, civil aviation, communication capabilities and in develop-

national importance, as well as to enable
and cyber.

ing the future ones. We are excited to move

the preservation of the knowledge and ex-
Boaz Levy, IAI's EVP and general manager
forward with Dror 1, the most advanced

COST EFFECTIVENESS pertise that has been accumulated by Israel of the Systems, Missiles and Space Group communication satellite ever built in Israel.
over the past years.
It will comprise numerous state-of-the-art
said “IAI, Israel’s national space house, is

technologies created here in Israel and con-
The new satellite will be developed by IAI’s
proud to develop and build the Dror 1, Is-

Systems, Missile, and Space Group which rael’s next-generation communication sat- tain highly-advanced digital capabilities. The

EVO began in 2015, with production now engines help the EVO fly higher, faster is dedicated to developing and building air ellite, which will provide the vital satellite agreement reflects the experience and skills

ramped up at a new facility in Italy. - climbing to a ceiling of 41,000 ft. to defence systems, such as the Barak MX, the communication capabilities Israel requires. amassed over the years at IAI for the benefit

anuary’s front cover of World Airnews The benefits of ownership are consider- take full advantage of thinner, quicker Arrow 2 and 3 weapon systems, advanced The fruition of the agreement reflects the of the future satellite users in Israel.” Q

Jfeatured an Italian business aircraft able. As well as flying one of the smartest, air. High fuel consumption is bad for

unlike any other. The first new P180 Avanti most efficient, aircraft in the skies, Piaggio the pocket as well as the planet and the

EVO VIP was delivered to an institutional Aerospace’s expansive customer support super-efficient EVO is an environmentally

customer in Uganda, Africa. This little and service network minimises downtime friendly aircraft that can help reduce DEFENCE

plane is something to watch out for. while also keeping costs under control your carbon footprint.

The Avanti EVO is a business aircraft like through an innovative fixed-fee programme. The sleek and stylish lines of the EVO

no other. Having learnt everything there is to Avanti EVO blends the best of Italian produce efficiency and speed. Laminar

know about aviation in its 100-year histo- style, peerless craftsmanship, and intel- flow from nose to tail is achieved via a SECOND F-35I ADIR SQUADRON

ry, this Italian company Piaggio Aerospace ligent thinking to create an aircraft that single aerodynamic curve that reduces
rewrote the rulebook to combine renowned stands alone for its values. drag and raises performance by around
Italian design with superb craftsmanship in an SPEED 34% compared to conventional designs. ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for already been delivered. A total of 50

aircraft that simply works best for business. The innovative Three Lifting Surface the establishment of the first designated ‘Adirs’ will be delivered by the end

The Avanti EVO is refreshingly different - Its speed exceeds 400 KTAS. The EVO is concept - consisting of forward wings, he IAF officially re-opened the building that would act as a temporary of 2024 to equip two full squadrons.
not just in terms of its looks, but also in terms so advanced that it can even outpace jet main wings and horizontal stabilisers - T116th ‘Lions of the South’ squad- home for the 116th Squadron. According to the Jerusalem Post, of the

of superior performance and comfort. The aircraft. As they say, the world’s most helps the EVO handle superbly while also ron. The unit joins the 140th ‘Golden “We chose to integrate the new remaining 30 planes, a total of six planes

EVO is very much a business aircraft for the stylish private jet has propellers. Those making it super efficient and striking on Eagle’ squadron, becoming the second to aircraft into a squadron with a long-last- are expected to land in Israel this year,

future, built on the best traditions of the past propellers are one reason why the Avanti the apron. operate the ‘Adir’ (as the Israeli Lightning ing legacy instead of establishing a new including the IAF’s experimental F-35I,

and today’s state-of-the-art technology. EVO is the undisputed king of its class. The stand-up cabin height of 5 ft. 9 in. is II stealth aircraft are named. one”, said a spokesperson. which will act as a test plane for the

It is one of the most environmentally Piaggio Aerospace tasked propeller mas- the tallest in class, while the width of 6 ft. Both the 140th and 116th Squad- “The 116th Squadron has existed for country’s planned modifications.

friendly aircraft on the market, with reduced ters Hartzell with producing a new pusher 1 in. is also superior to many comparable rons make up the ‘Adir division’ now, many years, and the ‘Adir’ is the fifth type Israel also retains an option for an

emissions and aircraft noise making it a for the EVO - a five-blade scimitar design aircraft. To put that in context, the EVO previously operated the F-16A/B ‘Netz’ of aircraft operated by the squadron”. additional 25 F-35s to form a third

logical choice. The fastest twin turboprop in aluminium that not only makes it the cabin is a whole foot taller than that of the (Hawk), a type that was retired after 36 Indeed, the 116th was established squadron. However, recent reports sug-

ever made- faster than some jets - the world’s fastest production turboprop but King Air 350i. years of service in December 2016. with first-generation aircraft over 60 gest that the third ‘Adir’ squadron may

Avanti EVO achieves greater speed without also reduces cabin noise by 20%. Versatile and reliable, the Avanti EVO The F-35I Adir with the new Lion’s years ago in Tel-Nof AFB; now it operates be postponed to buy F-15IA (an acronym

compromising operating costs, running at up Driven by two Pratt & Witney PT6A-66B en- also functions as a highly accomplished fifth-generation stealth jet, a change that for Israel Advanced) aircraft, that would

to 30% less than a jet of the same size. gines, the world’s most popular engine family, multi-utility aircraft in its special mission head tail flash (the front of the squad- is symbolised in the squadron logo that complement the F-35s for all those ‘use
ron’s emblem) were delivered in No-

The spacious cabin is an office in the the EVO is reliable, dependable and powerful. mode. The ability to land on short or even vember last year. has remained the same but with inverted cases’ where LO (Low Observability) can
sky, allowing passengers to maximise their JET-LIKE PERFORMANCE FOR AROUND semi prepared runways allows access to colours as a sign of the significant shift. be traded for range and payload.

The re-opening of a second Adir

working day while also arriving fresh, pre- 30% LESS OPERATING COST smaller airfields, making it ideal for human- squadron dates back to April 2019. A Twenty F-35I stealth aircraft have The F-35I took part in the Blue Flag exer-

pared and ready to do business. Unveiled itarian or medical missions – flying direct to cise for the first time in November 2019. Q
in 2014, customer deliveries of the Avanti Instant response from rugged turboprop the area of need. Q

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