F-35 fighter to Be ‘Cornerstone’ of Israeli Air Force


Israeli defense minister visits American production plant for new F-35 advanced  fighter jets.

Pentagon chooses Israeli-made helmet for all F-35 USAF pilots.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon last week visited the Lockheed Martin assembly factory in Texas and called the new F-35 fighter jet “a cornerstone in building” the Israeli Air Force of the future.

F-35 Will Be 'Cornerstone' of Israel Air Force

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon checks out a F-35

Israel is one of the first countries on the list to receive the F-35 when America begins shipping to its foreign allies.

Like the F-16 before it, Yaalon said he had no doubt the F-35 would be a great asset and “give the Israel Air Force great operational abilities.”

In a related development, the Pentagon has made the decision that F-35 pilots will use a helmet developed jointly by Rockwell Collins Inc. and Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd.

The decision knocked out of competition a helmet being developed by a British defense contractor. The Pentagon chose to go with the Rockwell-Elbit helmet following significant improvements and a lower price tag.

 

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