Three Apache Longbow helicopters have arrived at the Ramon airbase in the Negev. The delivery from the United States is part of a $640 million defense package designed to upgrade Israel’s helicopter force.
An unnamed Israel Air Force (IAF) officer quoted by Ynet says the helicopters come with a “fire and forget” targeting mechanism that allows pilots to sort out and then shoot targets in six seconds flat. The system can even fire more than one missile at a time, and does not require the pilot to maintain eye contact with his target.
The officer said the system provides pilots with “an efficient way to deal with the risks helicopters face – from Kalachnikov gunfire, to anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft fire.”
The officer said the helicopter’s controls were especially “user friendly." “The cockpit is a story in itself,” he said. "Every activity or malfunction appears on the screen.”
The helicopters don’t come cheap, and cost $27 million each. Most of the new gunships are set to arrive next year.
Today’s arrivals flew directly to Israel, making a ten-and-a-half-hour flight on a cargo plane from an air force base in Canada. The helicopters are manufactured by Boeing at a plant in Arizona.
Lt.-Col. T. of the IAF greeted the planes: “This is an opportunity to say thanks to all those who were involved in making this day possible. This is a great day for the best helicopter in the world.”
Another IAF officer, Col. A., added, “At this hour a new era is beginning for the Ramon base and the Air Force. In a short while, these helicopters will be loaded off the plane and officially join the Air Force. Men, to your stations!”
The IAF usually does not reveal the names of its officers for security reasons. The name of one IAF officer, however, is about to become a household word. Brig.-Gen. Dan Halutz, outgoing commander of the IAF, has been selected to become the IDF’s next Chief of Staff, and is expected to be taking up his new post by the end of June.
An unnamed Israel Air Force (IAF) officer quoted by Ynet says the helicopters come with a “fire and forget” targeting mechanism that allows pilots to sort out and then shoot targets in six seconds flat. The system can even fire more than one missile at a time, and does not require the pilot to maintain eye contact with his target.
The officer said the system provides pilots with “an efficient way to deal with the risks helicopters face – from Kalachnikov gunfire, to anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft fire.”
The officer said the helicopter’s controls were especially “user friendly." “The cockpit is a story in itself,” he said. "Every activity or malfunction appears on the screen.”
The helicopters don’t come cheap, and cost $27 million each. Most of the new gunships are set to arrive next year.
Today’s arrivals flew directly to Israel, making a ten-and-a-half-hour flight on a cargo plane from an air force base in Canada. The helicopters are manufactured by Boeing at a plant in Arizona.
Lt.-Col. T. of the IAF greeted the planes: “This is an opportunity to say thanks to all those who were involved in making this day possible. This is a great day for the best helicopter in the world.”
Another IAF officer, Col. A., added, “At this hour a new era is beginning for the Ramon base and the Air Force. In a short while, these helicopters will be loaded off the plane and officially join the Air Force. Men, to your stations!”
The IAF usually does not reveal the names of its officers for security reasons. The name of one IAF officer, however, is about to become a household word. Brig.-Gen. Dan Halutz, outgoing commander of the IAF, has been selected to become the IDF’s next Chief of Staff, and is expected to be taking up his new post by the end of June.