Category: Releases

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has performed Frame Fitting STA.663.75 (Pickle Fork) replacement for a Boeing 737-800 Aircraft.

As part of a routine C-Check for the aircraft, conducted at BEDEK MRO facility (part of IAI  Aviation Group), An AD mandated inspection was performed to detect cracks in the Pickle Fork Frame Fittings, which extend from the Main Deck to the aircraft Landing Gear Bay. During the inspection, a crack was discovered on the lower section of the left Pickle Fork at station 663.75.

Due to this finding, the IAI team was required to remove and replace the Pickle Fork fittings on both sides of the aircraft for the first time, at IAI, on a Boeing 737 NG. The replacement procedure is complex and requires extensive engineering work (no formal instructions have been published by Boeing) and involves the joint effort of a very highly skilled Sheet Metal team, and  B1 & B2 engineers. The work was successfully accomplished in full coordination with the Boeing Company.

Yossi Melamed, IAI EVP, and General Manager of the Aviation Group, “Israel Aerospace Industries serves as Israel’s foremost Aviation and Aerospace center of knowledge, expertise and excellence, and has lead the industry with vast experience in these fields for almost 70 years, especially in the fields of aviation structures, aircraft conversion, modifications, overall maintenance (MRO) operations and more. The successful replacement of the frame fitting is one of the  crucial and important MRO capabilities IAI is capable of, enbling the company to meet the hightest standards for customers.”

In the pictures:

1. Old vs. new pickle fork
2. Completed installation main deck view
3. Completed installation wheel well view
4. Re-installation of mechanical system

Isreal’s Defense Minister, Benny Gantz: “This is another extraordinary achievement for the defense establishment, for the defense industries as a whole, and for Israel Aerospace Industries in particular.”

July 6, 2020- The Space Administration in the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), have successfully launched the “Ofek 16” reconnaissance satellite into space, today (06.07.2020) at 4:00 AM. The launch was performed from a launch site based in central Israel, using a “Shavit” launcher.

The satellite began to orbit around earth and to transmit data, in accordance with original launch plans. IMoD and IAI engineers have started a series of pre-planned tests to determine the propriety and performance level of the satellite before it begins its full operational activities.

Defense Minister, Benny Gantz: “The successful launch of the ‘Ofek 16’ satellite overnight is yet another extraordinary achievement for the defense establishment, for the defense industries as a whole, and for Israel Aerospace Industries in particular. Technological superiority and intelligence capabilities are essential to the security of the State of Israel. The fact that Israel is one of the 13 countries in the world with satellite launching capabilities is not a given, and was made possible by the people who have been investing in these systems and advancing breakthrough capabilities over the years. We will continue to strengthen and maintain Israel’s capabilities on every front, in every place”.

“Ofek 16” is an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities. Its development was enabled by the great experience gained by the defense establishment in the production of earlier satellites in the Ofek series, which have been produced and launched since the year 1988. The satellite was launched into space using the “Shavit” launcher.

The Space Administration in IMoD has led the development and production of the satellite and its launcher. IAI is the prime contractor, having assigned the program to its Systems, Missiles and Space Group together with the MLM Division, which is responsible for the development of the launcher. Elbit Systems is responsible for the development and production of the satellite’s advanced camera and payload. The launch engines were developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Tomer, a government-owned company. Additional companies have participated in the program, including Rokar and Cielo.

The Director of Security for the Defense Establishment oversaw the security arrangements of the program. Lastly, various IDF officials, primarily from the Intelligence Corps and Air Force have also been deeply involved in the satellite development process. Once the satellite is deemed fully operational, the Ministry of Defense will deliver responsibilities to the IDF’s ‘9900’ Intelligence Unit.

The agreement with the Abu-Dhabi based Group42 is to develop breakthrough technology solutions for COVID-19 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) entered a historic collaboration agreement with Group42, a company based in Abu-Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The collaboration between the two companies will cover research and development of solutions that may help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agreement was signed between IAI’s ELTA Group via a video conference call between UAE and Israel. In the call, representatives of both companies discussed ways to leverage AI and other innovative technologies including lasers and sensors, to develop new COVID-19 focused systems. The solutions, as well as the joint medical and technological initiatives, are meant to help not only the populations of both countries but also aid in the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and improve the healthcare situation of the entire region.

Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA, said, “IAI is excited to sign the collaboration agreement with our Abu-Dhabi partners. COVID-19 does not distinguish between continents, peoples, and religions. We attach the utmost importance to a collaborative initiative that would yield breakthrough solutions. Over the past few months, IAI has mobilized its technological know-how, capabilities, and traditional boldness to help protect Israel and the local healthcare system. We are now proud to join forces with Group42 from UAE and take the first step in what may become future joint work by the two countries.”

As soon as the COVID-19 began spreading across the globe, IAI began to evaluate various ways to offer its trailblazing technological solutions to help Israel on the national level. IAI has collaborated with healthcare and defense parties, with the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), and with the State Companies Authority to understand the needs as they emerged during the pandemic.

ELTA is a global leader in remote sensing and radar systems. It offers an extensive portfolio of breakthrough strategic systems such as mission aircraft, national cybersecurity administration, ground robotic,anti-drone, and homeland defense systems, and more. IAI is a national technological know-how center for radars, satellite technologies, unmanned aircraft, civilian aviation, and cybersecurity.

Contact: Dafna Slyper Ravitz, Communication Manager, IAI, Tel. 052-3189797 , daravitz@iai.co.il

The AI-based model predicts the progression of a patient’s condition. It was developed by scientists from the Space and Missile Group using information from the Sheba Medical Center cloud database

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed a model that predicts the progression of the medical status of COVID-19 patients with artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning technologies. The model was built utilizing data from the Sheba Medical Center. The predictive capabilities can alert medical staff on the possible deterioration in the patient’s condition, thus enhancing patient care and flagging the cases with higher chances of medical escalation and significantly improving the patient outcome. The model was developed by researchers and engineers ay IAI’s Innovation Center in the company’s Systems Missiles and Space Group.

Dr. Einat Klein, Chief Innovation Engineer at IAI’s Systems Missile and Space Group, said, “IAI makes extensive use of tools such as machine learning, big data and AI as part of its routine operations. The innovation team of our group, which specializes in missiles and satellites, has leveraged its know-how experience to help medical staffs predict patients’ conditions. In this way, physicians can provide better treatment to COVID-19 patients at the hospital. IAI joined the battle against COVID-19 with multiple technologies developed over the past few weeks. These technologies help the medical professionals, the patients, and the hospitals. We plan to continue helping the healthcare system in line with the changing needs.”

IAI’s Systems, Missiles & Space Group. The Group boasts a long record in air-defense systems, such as the Arrow 2 and 3, the Barak 8, loitering missiles, and countless missile and satellite systems, such as observation satellites, nano-satellites, communication satellites (including Dror, the national communication satellite). The Group has also co-built the Beresheet spacecraft which traveled to the moon on its first mission. IAI is a national and global technological hub for air defense, radars, satellites, unmanned vehicles, civilian aviation, and cyber. 

In the picture: IAI’s Predicted Model for Medical Condition Progression of COVID-19

Estie Rosen, Head of Media Relations, erosen@iai.co.il   972-52-4677010    www.iai.co.il

The F-16 wing and vertical fin assembly lines, initially established at IAI in the 1980s, was reopened last year to meet increased demand for the F-16
TEL AVIV – February 23, 2022 – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered the first F-16 wing and vertical fin to Lockheed Martin, following the reopening of the F-16 wing assembly line at IAI. As a result of increased worldwide demand for the F-16 Block 70/72, IAI reopened the assembly lines that had been established in the 1980s to continue production of the F-16 aerostructures assembled at IAI. The F-16 wings and vertical fins will be shipped to the F-16 production and final assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina.

Prior to reopening the F-16 assembly lines, IAI invested in modernizing infrastructure, improving the work environment, and introducing new tools to produce fully compliant F-16 aerostructures. IAI also successfully reestablished the supply chain of hardware suppliers to support the assembly lines, checked and verified tooling, carried out necessary first article inspections, and conducted training programs for the F-16 team.

The F-16 wing and vertical fin assembly lines were the first of IAI and Lockheed Martin’s collaborations, which have grown and expanded in the fields of aviation and defense. In addition to wings and vertical fins, IAI also produces the F-16 Conformal Fuel Tanks.

Boaz Levy, IAI President & CEO, said, “The first delivery of the F-16 wing and vertical fins represents a continuation of IAI’s decades-long cooperation with Lockheed Martin to manufacture aerostructures for customers worldwide. Built on the newly refurbished and technologically advanced assembly line, the F-16 wing and vertical fins represent over 40 years of cooperation between IAI and Lockheed Martin. The reactivated F-16 assembly lines join IAI’s aerostructures center of excellence for fighter aircraft. With decades of experience, customer satisfaction, and continued technological advancement, these first deliveries are a testament to IAI’s leading role in the aviation industry.”

Joshua (Shiki) Shani, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Israel, said, “The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced, 4th generation fighter aircraft capabilities, regional and worldwide partnerships, and affordable lifecycle costs. Five nations have chosen the F-16 Block 70/72 for these reasons and more. We are proud to have local Israeli production of wings for the F-16 at the IAI facilities, which already produces wings for the F-35, and we look forward to growing our partnerships and cooperation with the Israeli industries.”

IAI’s Aviation Group is a leader in developing and producing advanced composite materials technologies, avionic structures, and assemblies. It offers a dedicated line for making F-35 outer wing boxes and their skins. With these capabilities, the Aviation Group serves the world’s largest aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, major airlines such as Alitalia and WizzAir, and leading shipping companies such as Amazon and DHL.