More Israeli Systems in F-35 Aircraft

US Department of Defense transferring $207 million to Lockheed Martin to made adjustments allowing for the installation of more Israeli systems onboard the stealth aircraft.

he US Department of Defense provided $207 million to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 combat aircraft, so that the company will make adjustments to allow the installation of Israeli systems onboard the aircraft.

The grant will allow Lockheed to make hardware and software adjustments so that the 20 aircraft acquired by Israel will be able to accept the systems that Israel is seeking to install in them. This agreement, which will allow for the installation of unique systems onboard the aircraft, is expected to provide approximately $450 million to the Israeli defense industries.

As previously reported by IsraelDefense in April, the US administration has agreed to allow the IAF to install Israeli-produced radio and data-transfer systems onboard the stealth combat aircraft, as well as to upgrade its Electronic Warfare (EW) system by adding Israeli systems.

The Israeli defense industries, headed by Elbit Systems and IAI, will develop “additions” to the aircraft's integral systems towards upgrading the EW system. The scope of the work that Lockheed Martin would order from Israel was concluded in recent years.
Until recently, the US did not allow the IAF even partial access to the EW system of the advanced aircraft. The unique additions will grant the IAF with an advantage of other regional air forces which will also possess the aircraft.