Israel to receive first F-35 stealth fighter jets in 2016

Lockheed Martin official says Israel’s first F-35 stealth fighter jets will be given to the Israel Air Force in the 2nd half of 2016.

The IAF has ordered 19 F-35s, with option to purchase 75.

Pilots refer to F-35 as “the iPad-generation aircraft.”

By Aharon Lapidot and Israel Hayom Staff

 

 

The Israel Air Force will receive its first F-35 fighter jets in the second half of 2016, a Lockheed Martin official said.

Sleek and stealthy. The Israel Air Force will receive its first F-35 fighter jets in 2016, says Lockheed Martin. – Photo: AP

Israel has ordered 19 F-35s, for a total cost of $2.75 billion, and has the option to purchase a total of 75 F-35s.

Once these advanced stealth aircraft arrive in Israel, they will become the IAF’s spearhead, capable of conducting strategic long-range operations and remaining undetected by enemy radar systems.

The F-35 features touchscreen displays in the cockpit and is referred to by pilots as “the iPad-generation aircraft.”

Elbit Systems has designed a helmet for F-35 pilots to use and Israel Aerospace Industries will produce wings for the aircraft.

F-16i Sufa

Currently, the IAF fighter jet fleet consists of F-15s and F-16s.

 

View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=6793