(Lockheed Martin)
22/06/16

http://www.difesaonline.it/industria/lockheed-martin-e-israele-celebrano-il-rollout-del-primo-f-35-adir-di-israele

Representatives of the governments of Israel and the United States along with Lockheed Martin celebrated the rollout of the first F-35A Lightning II aircraft of the Israeli Air Force, which marks an important moment for the future of national defense of Israel.

"Israel is proud to be the first country in the area to receive and use the F-35," said Avigdor Liberman, Minister of Defense of Israel. "The F-35 is the best aircraft in the world and the choice of our military leaders is the first level. It is clear and obvious to us and for the entire region that the F-35, the Adir, will be able to ensure a real deterrence and enhance our ability for a long period of time. "

January brig. Tal Kelman, chief of staff of the IAF, commented, "As a pilot with more than 30 years of experience on a wide range of aircraft, I had the privilege of flying with the F-35 simulator at Fort Worth and is It was like having your future in my hands. The unique combination of cutting-edge technology, impact and an incredible human-machine interface will lead the world into the fifth generation. "

Present at the ceremony together with the Minister, with more than 400 guests representing the government, the military and industry, including the US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, the Minister Tzachi Hanegbi of the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Heidi Grant, deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs of the US Air Force, lt. January Chris Bogdan, executive officer of the F-35 program, the governor of Texas Greg Abbott, and the congressman for the state of Texas Craig Goldman State.

"We are honored to partner with Israel and help build solid and lasting partnership between our two nations," said Marillyn Hewson, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin during the ceremony. "The F-35 will help Israel to continue in the strength and stability of a point role in the region and to keep the nation safe for future generations."

The F-35 to Israel, dubbed Adir - which in Hebrew means "the Great" - will represent an important additional piece to maintain the military superiority of Israel in the Middle East, thanks to the advanced capabilities to address emerging threats such as advanced missiles, and to ensure the protection of the airspace. The F-35 combines advanced stealth technology ensures low observable with the speed and agility of a fighter, a fully integrated sensor system, the netcentrica capabilities in operations and enhanced support.

Israel's acquisition program includes 33 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing, or CTOL, purchased through the program of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Israel contributes to the F-35 program with the production of semi-wings for the F-35A by IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries; the contribution of Elbit Systems Ltd. to Generation III helmet Helmet-Mounted Display, which will be used by the pilots of the F-35 worldwide; the production of composite components for the central part of the F-35 fuselage by Elbit Systems-Cyclone.

Three different models of F-35 aircraft will replace the A / OA-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon Air Force plan, the aircraft F / A-18 Hornet US Navy aircraft and the F / A-18 and AV 8B Harrier of the Marines, and a series of hunting used in at least 11 other countries. After the declaration of initial operational capability (IOC - Initial Operational Capability) combat-ready for the Marine Corps, the Air Force American and US Navy plan to achieve that goal this year, respectively, and in the course of 2018. The 170 F-35 aircraft delivered have stored up more than 60,000 flight hours to date.

---

IZAKOVIC