Last week (Thursday), Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Italian Defense Ministry signed an agreement regarding the procurement of seven advanced military training helicopters for the Israeli Air Force. According to the agreement, the Ministry of Defense will purchase seven AW119Kx helicopters in a deal that will see the Italian Defense Ministry buy an equivalent… Read more »
Source: Israeli AF, 19-Feb-19
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Unmanned systems have successfully completed a proof of concept to high officials of the defense industry and the IDF. Recently developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) the Air Hopper took a part in a demonstration that covered two scenarios, one simulating carrying a seriously-wounded soldier to a extraction point for life-saving… Read more »
Source: IAI, 16-Oct-17
Monday saw the arrival of the Israel Police Force’s four new Airbus H125 helicopters. The four helicopters are part of a six aircraft contract, with the remaining two H145 helicopters being delivered in the future. The H125s are all equipped with special command and communication systems, reports Ynet News. These helicopters will be used for… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Aug-17
Israeli is looking to modernizing their heavy-lift helicopter fleet by replacing their CH-53 Yasur helicopters. The fleet has been in service for over 50 years and although they have recently been upgraded, a replacement is needed. The money for the replacement will come from the MoU of $38 billion signed in 2016 between Washington and… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 07-Aug-17
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed an agreement with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, to supply spare parts and associated engineering services in support of the CH-53D heavy lift helicopters operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) since 1969. Intended for a duration of seven years, the comprehensive program will allow Sikorsky to manage… Read more »
Source: Lockheed Martin, 05-Jul-17
The Israeli Air Force has had to ground their fleet of Apache attack helicopters. One of their technicians found a crack in a blade during routine checks, reports Times of Israel. The fleet will stay grounded until the investigation is over and no other issues are found.
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Jun-17
Sikorsky hopes to gain a 200 export order for their new CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter. Both Germany and Israel are looking to replace their aging fleets of CH-53s with Sikorsky’s newest CH-53K King Stallion. Germany seems the most likely opportunity, as they plan to release a RFP by 2018. Their competition for the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Jun-17
The Israeli Ministry of Defence has entered into negotiations with the Italian Ministry of Defence in order to purchase AW-119 training helicopters from Italy’s Leonardo. The new helicopters will replace their current Bell 206 training aircraft, which they bought in 1970. Bell and Airbus are also competing for the contract, offering GXP-407s and H-125s respectively…. Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-May-17
A group of Connecticut and New England lawmakers are trying to persuade Israel to buy Stratford-based Sikorsky helicopters as they work to modernize their military. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME) along with Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) sent a letter… Read more »
Source: US Senate, 05-May-17
Israel is currently under questioning as to why they gave a Spanish-made helicopter drone to the Russian Prime Minister. The drone, which is used for agricultural use, costs $53, 000 and is seen as sensitive technology, which Spain prohibits the exportation of to certain countries. As reported by BBC News, the drone was fitted with… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Dec-16
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announces today the order of two Bell 505s signed during the Paris Air Show. Both Bell 505 Jet Ranger Xs will be used for corporate transport in Israel, a testament to the growing demand of the Bell 505 in the region and bringing the success of the… Read more »
Source: Bell, 30-Jun-15
Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer Hospital reportedly built the helipad without approval by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance See full story
Source: Globes, 11-Feb-14
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress January 13 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel for V-22B Block C Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.13 billion. The Government of Israel (GOI) has requested a possible sale of 6 V-22B Block C Aircraft, 16 Rolls… Read more »
Source: DSCA, 16-Jan-14
Royal Air Force Chinook made emergency landing while en route from Amman (Jordan) to Akrotiri (Cyprus). Some reports suggest location is in or near a minefield
08-Dec-13
Calling Israel’s self-defense capabilities and its qualitative military edge “central to both Israel and U.S. security interests,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced tonight that Israel will buy six V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for its air force. Hagel made the announcement during his keynote address at the 100th annual Anti-Defamation League meeting in New York. “Israel… Read more »
Source: US Dept of Defense, 01-Nov-13
Reports from Israel are suggesting that the Defence Force there could have as many as six V-22 Ospreys by the end of 2014. Local defence sources reached this conclusion through assessment of negotiations between manufacturer JV Bell-Boeing and the US Air Force. The tilt rotors are quoted as being part of a bigger specialist military… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Oct-13
A helicopter transporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an emergency landing after military officials spotted and shot down a UAV entering Israeli airspace.
25-Apr-13
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced that Israel will be buying the V-22 (see full story)
Source: Star Telegram, 23-Apr-13
Five surplus US military Sikorsky CH-53 transport helicopters purchased for use as spares have arrived in Israel (see full story)
Source: FlightGlobal, 22-Mar-13
Accident around 1am local on night training mission. Both reservists killed, named by IDF as Lt.-Col. (res.) Noam Ron, 49, and Maj. (res.) Erez Flekser, 31. The pilots had radioed the Palmahim air base before the crash, saying they would land there in six minutes. There was no distress call prior to the accident.
12-Mar-13
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Bell 429 has earned Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) type acceptance to operate in Israel, as well as approval to fly at an increased maximum gross weight of 7,500 lbs. Israel marks the sixteenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight…. Read more »
Source: Bell, 01-Mar-13
Israel is continuing to evaluate a possible acquisition of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, with fresh details having emerged (see full story)
Source: Flightglobal, 16-Jan-13
Elbit Systems Ltd. (the “Company”) recently announced that it was awarded two follow-on contracts by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (“IMOD”) for the operation and maintenance of the Israeli Air Force’s (“IAF”) Flight Academy trainer aircraft and helicopters. These contracts were part of the Company’s December 31, 2012 announcement regarding contract awards by the IMOD… Read more »
Source: Elbit, 14-Jan-13
Israel has received information from the US Army on the new AH-64E model Apache, but the type is not on the force’s procurement list, mainly due to budget-related reasons. (see full story)
Source: Israel Defense, 12-Dec-12
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Israel complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of an October FAA review of Israel’s civil aviation authority. Israel is now upgraded to Category 1 from the Category 2 safety rating the country… Read more »
Source: FAA, 01-Nov-12
Emergency landing after pilot had indication of system malfunction
28-Aug-12
aircraft was forced to carry out an emergency landing near the Tel Nof airbase south of Tel Aviv
15-Aug-12
Emergency landing made shortly after take-off
31-May-12
The military has initiated plans to develop a protective shield for its helicopters amid concern that shoulder-to-air missiles will be fired in large numbers at Israel Air Force aircraft in a future war. (see full story)
Source: Jerusalem Post, 27-Apr-12
Emergency landing in a peanut field. Photos appear to show helicopter intact and undamaged
09-Dec-11
This not the first time Israeli co-operation has been mooted in association with the Surion. At October’s Seoul air show programme partners KAI and Eurocopter proposed a Korea naval helicopter (KNH) based on the co-developed Surion. They said Israel’s Elbit Systems would be involved in the KNH. (see full story)
01-Dec-11
The training was held at the Larisa Air Force Base in Greece and the IAF sent three helicopter squadrons – Squadron 124 and 123 which fly Black Hawk transport helicopters and Squadron 113 which flies Apache Longbow attack helicopters (full story)
06-Jul-11
The Israel Air Force will send a delegation of officers to the United States later this month to conduct a review of the V- 22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that it has its eye on for search and rescue and covert operations behind enemy lines.
07-Jun-11
Spains’s National Police have aborted the sale of a number of helicopters and fighter parts to Iran and Venezuela. A total of eight arrests have been made in relation to this deal, five Spanish businessmen and three Iranian nationals who had traveled to Spain to formalise the deal. Export of this type of equipment to… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-May-11
The Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded on Feb. 2 an $11,990,145 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for three Apache helicopters for the country of Israel. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 09-Feb-11
Germany has committed two helicopters to help Israeli fight their worst ever forest fire
05-Dec-10
The new container was developed by the IDF’s Technological and Logistics Directorate and the Israeli Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Research and Development Directorate (MAFAT).
Source: Janes, 19-Nov-10
Israel’s Aeronautics Defense Systems has performed the first flight of its Picador unmanned rotorcraft.
Source: Flightglobal, 18-Nov-10
Flew into an electric cable during a training flight; The Black Hawk was slightly damaged and no one on board was injured
25-Oct-10
Israel Aerospace Industries’ Panther/K-80 tiltrotor unmanned air vehicle is being evaluated by special forces from other countries
Source: Flight Global, 04-Oct-10
The helicopter provides a door to door shuttle service from Ben Gurion International Airport (near Tel Aviv, central Israel) to the private cottages and spa chalets of Kitron
Source: Healthstrip, 12-Aug-10
The AirMule (formerly MULE), a single-engine, VTOL Cargo and MedEvac UAS developed by Urban Aeronautics, Ltd, has successfully completed the first phase of its flight testing. This phase has consisted of autonomous hovers with the vehicle’s Fly-By-Wire control system providing the necessary auto-stabilization in all three rotational axes of the vehicle (Pitch, Roll and Yaw)…. Read more »
Source: Urban Aeronautics, 11-Jan-10
The Israeli air force has abandoned its evaluation of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey and is instead showing interest in the capabilities of Sikorsky’s developmental CH-53K.
Source: Flight Global, 16-Nov-09
Developed by Steadicopter, the Black Eagle 50 mini rotary UAV is just over two meters long and can carry a minimal payload of 3 kg. The unmanned helicopter can stay in the air for up to three hours and reach altitudes of 9,000 feet. It can transmit footage back to a command center from distances… Read more »
Source: Jerusalem Post, 11-Oct-09
Looking to bolster its air support capabilities for possible future operations in Lebanon and Gaza, the Israel Air Force (IAF) has begun testing Black Hawk utility helicopters upgraded with offensive air-to-surface missile launchers and a rapid-fire cannon.
Source: Israel National News, 01-Sep-09
Source: OIl & Gas Eurasia, 14-Aug-09
Source: Jerusalem Post, 26-Jul-09
The Israeli air force wants to increase its inventory of Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters.
Source: Flightglobal, 01-Mar-09
