|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/why-israels-stealth-f-35i-truly-one-kind-22942
How Israel Modified the F-35 Fighter
(National Interest) Kyle Mizokami - Israel is modifying its new U.S.-made F-35 fighters from the outset to integrate Israeli technologies. These include an Israeli-developed command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) system that does not interact with the F-35's computer system, but sends sensor data to other Israeli military assets, particularly nearby fighters, to help detect, prioritize and attack enemy targets. Facing Hizbullah, which has 150,000 tactical rockets, Israel needs to rapidly draw in launch-location data, process it, and quickly churn out a prioritized target list for the Israeli Air Force. The F-35I will also carry Israeli-designed missiles. Rafael's SPICE 1000 is so accurate it can place half of all bombs within nine feet of their target. It will also carry Israel's Python-5 infrared air-to-air missile. Added fuel tanks were also built in to extend the plane's range by 36%. While the addition of an external fuel tank would compromise the F-35's stealth, the fuel tank could be used during early phases of an air operation where stealth was not necessary, and jettisoned after use.