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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: michael97123 who wrote (16237)	11/15/2003 9:18:04 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793704

I still think the people are glad to see Jews killed. They are pissed at Al Qaeda for blowing up things in their country, however.

To: michael97123 who wrote (16237)	11/15/2003 9:23:16 AM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 793704

Your tax dollars at work. The plane designed by the "Fighter Mafia," lead by Colonel John Boyd. ____________________________________________ Newest F-16I unveiled Arieh O'Sullivan Nov. 15, 2003 The Israel Air Force celebrated on Friday the unveiling of the first F-16I fighter jet as aerospace giant Lockheed Martin rolled out the plane from its assembly line. "This is a key moment in our national defense history," said Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who flew in fresh from talks in Washington. "This acquisition not only enhances our military strength but contributes to our nation through significant industrial cooperation." While the delivery of the first batch will not be until early next year, the ceremony marks the interim phase in this $4.5 billion dollar deal, the largest arms deal in the history of the state. Lockheed Martin won the tender, beating rival Boeing, in 1999 to supply 102 of the advanced fighter jets aimed at strengthening the IAF's long reach. Within range are nations as far away as Iran and Libya. The aircraft have been supplemented to Israel's specifications and are different from any other F-16, even in the service of the US Air Force. They are being paid for from the annual US military grant given to Israel, which this year stands at about $2.2 billion. Amid a fancy sound and light show, including lightening and sounds of thunder, the curtain was pulled back, revealing the new F-16I to the loud Texas yelps of the crowd. The Air Force has nicknamed the F-16I as "Soufa," or thunderstorm. Representing the US government, Bruce Lemkin, Undersecretary of the US Air Force responsible for International Affairs, said this program supports Washington's economic and foreign policy objectives. "Military grants are tools we use to support the mutual security interests of both of our countries while promoting freedom and stability in the (Middle East). This is a win-win byproduct," Lemkin said. Delighted with the fact that the deal allowed Lockheed Martin to keep thousands of jobs in her district, Congresswoman Kay Granger said she whole-heartedly supported more advanced weapons sales to Israel in the future. ALso attending the ceremony was Assaf Ramon, son of fallen astronaut Ilan Ramon, who flew an F-16 to bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor in Osrik in 1981. The next phase is transporting the jets to Israel. The first of them is expected to arrive next month and gradually the whole squadron will be brought to the Ramon base deep in the Negev. A total of three squadrons will be delivered by 2008. With the arrival of the 102 F-16Is, Israel will have a total of 362 of the jets – the largest fleet in any country in the world behind the United States. The F-16s are the backbone of the IAF, but these new "I" models will give added punch to the long-range capabilities of the IAF and will complement the squadron of F-15Is Israel received in the end of the 1990s. The F-16I is not just another F-16, but a completely redesigned jet. It has an 820km non-refueling radius of operation. It has a 52,000 pound take off weight, which means it can haul more weaponry than older F-16s. The Soufa will also be the first IAF F-16I armed with the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, giving it superior survivability and the ability to shoot down other jets up to 50 kilometers away. It also is equipped with a Northrop Grumman APG-68 radar, which is generations more advanced than the radars now in service in the IAF fleet. The Synthetic Aperture Radar system and Litening navigation pod provide the F-16I all-weather, day and night attack capabilities. Addressing the audience, Brig.-Gen. Elyezer Shkedy, Chief of Staff of the IAF, praised the jet, but also spoke of the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter currently being developed by Lockheed Martin. "We are looking into the not-so-distant future [and] foresee that aircraft as our future generation fighter," Shkedy said. This article can also be read at jpost.com