DTN News - TURKISH DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Begins Maintenance Training For Turkey's Peace Eagle AEW&C Aircraft

DTN News - TURKISH DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Begins Maintenance Training For Turkey's Peace Eagle AEW&C Aircraft
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 24, 2012: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has begun an extensive maintenance training program for Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program at a Boeing facility near Seattle.

Classroom training for 10 Turkish Air Force personnel and two Turkish Airlines employees is being conducted by instructors from Boeing Defence Australia and Boeing Training and Flight Services. The training covers all aspects of the 737 AEW&C aircraft, including mechanical avionics, mission systems and electronic warfare subsystems.

The students will have access to computer-based training, simulators, training devices, and hands-on experience aboard the first Peace Eagle aircraft.

"Training is a critical part of the full capability Boeing is providing in the Peace Eagle program," said Mark Ellis, Peace Eagle program manager for Boeing. "Boeing is working closely with the Turkish Air Force and Turkish industry to ensure that they can effectively use and maintain this powerful airborne surveillance, communications and battle-management system."

81 students are scheduled to take the system maintenance courses at the Boeing facility over the next 10 months. Another 85 will train at the Peace Eagle main operating base in Konya, Turkey. Additionally, mission crew training is under way for 20 Turkish Air Force personnel at a Seattle-area facility.

The Peace Eagle program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. System requirements verification testing is ongoing at Boeing facilities in Seattle and in Turkey. Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara, Turkey, is modifying three aircraft and providing flight operations. HAVELSAN in Ankara is providing system software and the Ground Support Center. Boeing is on plan to deliver the first aircraft by the end of 2012.

The 737-700 commercial airplane on which the AEW&C aircraft is based features 21st century avionics, navigation equipment and flight deck. Because of its advanced technology and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance.

The Peace Eagle AEW&C aircraft is equipped with Northrop Grumman's Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array antenna with integrated Identification Friend-or-Foe capabilities. The system also includes a flexible, open architecture for cost-effective future upgrades, an extensive communications suite and aerial refueling capability.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 62,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Dave Sloan
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
+1 253-657-8008
david.a.sloan@boeing.com

Chantal Dorange
Boeing International Corporate Communications
+34 91-426-4504
chantal.dorange@boeing.com

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DTN News - TURKISH DEFENSE NEWS: First Lockheed Martin Advanced Block 50 F-16 Unveiled For Turkish Air Force

DTN News - TURKISH DEFENSE NEWS: First Lockheed Martin Advanced Block 50 F-16 Unveiled For Turkish Air Force

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) ANKARA, Turkey, May 23, 2011: Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT - News) unveiled the first of 30 new Turkish-built F-16s in ceremonies today at TAI's facility near Ankara.

Turkish officials at the event included the nation's Minister of National Defense, Vecdi Gonul; Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar; Turkish Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abidin Unal; General Manager of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation Lt. Gen. (Retired) Hayrettin Uzun; and the Chairman of the Board of TAI, Lt. Gen. (Retired) Mehmet Yalcin Kaya.

The U.S. government was represented by Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.; Heidi Grant, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs; and Maj. Gen. Stanley Clarke III, Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation.

"Lockheed Martin values the partnerships we have established with the Turkish government, military and industry over the past quarter century," said Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Aeronautics for Lockheed Martin. "We look forward to continuing those relationships as a partner with Turkey in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program."

The F-16 program has provided extensive industrial development and employment in Turkey over the past 25 years. The Turkish Air Force has more than 200 F-16 aircraft in its inventory presently and will take delivery of the 30 new, advanced Block 50 models between May 2011 and December 2012.

The F-16 is the choice of 25 nations. More than 4,400 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft's long service life.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Turkey Has Postponed Purchase Of 100 F-35 JSF

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Turkey Has Postponed Purchase Of 100 F-35 JSF

**Turkey has postponed the purchase of 100 US-made F-35 warplanes in objection to the American's refusal to share the aircraft's technology

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Press TV

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - March 25, 2011: Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Tuesday that negotiations with Pentagon officials over procurement of source codes used in the software designed for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and codes used externally to operate the military aircraft had not yielded "satisfactory results," Today's Zaman newspaper reported on Thursday.

He said a range of topics has been covered in the talks but stressed that it did not yield sufficient grounds to convince Turkey to purchase the jets. "We will evaluate the order in the next meeting of Turkey's Defense Industry Implementation Committee," Gonul said. Turkish engineers reportedly would not be able to make any changes to the software that operates F-35 fighter jets without the source codes. The external flight codes are also necessary to navigate the jets. The fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II -- also known as Joint Strike Fighter or JSF -- is a single-seat, single-engine and multi-role fighter. The aircraft can conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions. The F-35 Lightning II is manufactured in three different main versions; conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV) as well as a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL). A fourth variant, the F-35 I, is a version exclusively manufactured for the Israeli regime. The United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Norway and Denmark have contributed financially to the development of F-35. Israel and Singapore have joined the project as security partners.

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DTN News: Lockheed Martin Awarded $118 Million Contract To Provide Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods and LANTIRN ER Navigation Pods To Turkish Air Force

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Awarded $118 Million Contract To Provide Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods and LANTIRN ER Navigation Pods To Turkish Air Force *Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) ORLANDO, FL, -January 07, 2010: Lockheed Martin has signed a foreign military sales contract to deliver Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs) and LANTIRN™ Enhanced Resolution (ER) navigation pods to the Turkish Air Force. Valued at $118 million, the contract will provide Sniper ATP and LANTIRN ER navigation pods to equip Turkish Air Force F-16 Block 40 and Block 50 Peace Onyx aircraft. “Sniper ATPs and LANTIRN ER navigation pods will provide a significant capability upgrade to the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fleet,” said Rich Lovette, program director for Fixed-Wing Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “LANTIRN ER’s 3rd generation navigation FLIR and enhanced image processing will allow aircrews to go far beyond their current capability. The Sniper ATP will provide enhanced target detection and identification capability, expanding the F-16’s ability to conduct non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.”The Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod's superior range lets pilots complete missions safely, and rock-steady stabilization provides unequaled accuracy. Packaged in a single lightweight pod, the Sniper ATP provides critical long-range, positive identification of both moving and stationary air and ground targets. It also possesses a video downlink equipped with the widely used Rover ground receiver to relay high-resolution streaming video to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and rapid target coordination. Designed, developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the Sniper ATP provides unrivaled precision engagement through its high-resolution, mid-wave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and TV sensors, which operate in conjunction with a dual-mode laser, permitting eye-safe operation and precise geolocation in urban environments. Combat proven on the F-16, F-15E, B-1, A-10 and Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft, the Sniper ATP is also flying on the F/A-18 and B-52. With advanced integration across U.S. Air Force and multinational aircraft, the Sniper ATP’s common software and hardware interface design enables users to “plug and play” across services and multiple platforms, providing a common software and hardware configuration across aircraft fleets for greater interoperability. LANTIRN ER navigation pod, an upgraded version of the highly successful LANTIRN navigation pod, delivers multi-mission success with a significantly reduced cost of ownership. Featuring terrain-following radar, a 3rd generation mid-wave FLIR, enhanced image signal processing and increased image quality, the LANTIRN ER navigation pod allows aircrews to operate worldwide, in daylight or darkness, at mission altitudes from sea level to 40,000 feet. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

DTN News: RAF Mildenhall Serves As Base For Turkish C-130 Engine Replacement

DTN News: RAF Mildenhall Serves As Base For Turkish C-130 Engine Replacement *Source: DTN News / U.S. Air Force in Europe By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May (NSI News Source Info) RAF MILDENHALL, England - August 25, 2009: A team of 13 Turkish air force mechanics arrived here Aug. 17 to repair one of their C-130s after a maintenance inspection revealed problems with one of the aircraft's engines.Turkish air force maintainers work with U.S. Air Force Airmen to remove a damaged engine from a Turkish C-130 Aug. 17. Airmen from the 100th Maintenance Squadron lent their facilities and equipment to the maintainers, who were flown in from Turkey after a post-flight inspection revealed problems with the engine, temporarily grounding it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin M. May) The 100th Maintenance Squadron was able to lend support of its facilities and equipment to the team while they swapped out the airplane's engine. The engine problem was discovered during a post-flight inspection Aug. 16, and the repair team was flown in the following morning. According to Turkish air force 1st Lt. Mustafa Erbay, the mission the plane was flying was in support of U.S. forces. Once the logistics of billeting and transportation were taken care of, the aircraft and the maintainers were set up in one of the largest hangars on base, usually reserved for KC-135 maintenance, said 1st Lt. Zach Harris, Maintenance Flight officer in charge. The lieutenant said the constantly changing English weather could have worked against maintainers attempting to make repairs out in the open air. In addition to the hangar space where the Turkish maintainers could work without worrying about exposure to the elements, they were allowed use of a crane to lift the crippled aircraft's engine. Because they didn't have a qualified crane operator, members of the 100th Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Repair and Reclamation team, also known as the Crash Recovery Team, stepped in to lend a hand. Lieutenant Harris said the experience, while mainly observation on the part of the American maintainers, was beneficial for everyone involved, especially the crash recovery team members. "They were able to get some experience using the crane, which is always useful," he said. The maintenance required to get the plane working again were routine, and Lieutenant Harris said the Turkish maintainers demonstrated rapid proficiency acquired from years of experience. During the first day of repairs, the Turkish maintainers removed the prop and engine from the plane and prepared to install a new one, which was flown in with them on a replacement aircraft. That plane was flown out of England by the original aircrew to complete their mission. Day two saw the replacement engine hung on the C-130 wing and the prop reinstalled, and the third day ended with the engine successfully tested and the airplane restored to flying condition. Master Sgt. Mike Denoncour, 100 MXS lead production superintendent, said it felt good to be able to step up and assist an allied country when they needed it. "That's what NATO's all about," he said.

South Korea To Buy Turkish EWTS

South Korea To Buy Turkish EWTS

(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL - April 19, 2009: South Korea signed a deal April 16 to purchase Turkish pilot training equipment in a deal valued at about 13 billion won ($97 million), the Ministry of National Defense here said. A signing ceremony, attended by the defense ministers from both countries, was held at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) headquarters, it said in a news release. South Korea will receive electronic warfare training systems (EWTS) from Turkish defense firm Havelsan by 2011, it said. DAPA started talks on the deal with Havelsan last September as part of "reciprocal" defense cooperation between the two governments, it said. EWTS is used to train and test Air Force pilots by simulating hostile threat environments, including missile interceptors, ground-to-air guided rockets, anti-aircraft guns and others. Later in the day, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, who arrived here a day earlier for a three-day stay, held talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Sang-hee, on bilateral defense ties and expanding cooperation in the defense industry. Seoul and Istanbul have maintained strong ties on arms deals. In 2001, South Korea signed a $1 billion license deal over its K-9 self-propelled howitzer with Turkey. In 2007, South Korea's state-run Korea Aerospace Industries signed a $350 million contract with Turkey to export 55 modified KT-1 Woongbi basic trainers. Last year, the two governments inked a $400 million contract on the transfer of tank development technology. Under the deal, South Korea is to help Turkey develop a main battle tank by 2015 through the transfer of its technologies accumulated from the design and development of K1A1 and K2 tanks. South Korea will provide key technologies regarding engine, gunnery and snorkeling systems, according to DAPA officials.

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

Turkey: Falcon F-16 Flying With Air Force And High Agenda In Industry

(NSI News Source Info) March 11, 2009: Turkey has bought another 30 F-16C Block 50 fighters, for over $60 million each. This will give Turkey one of the largest F-16s fleets (nearly 250) in the world. Like Israel, Turkey is upgrading its older F-16s.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The Falcon's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

There are actually six major models of the F-16 currently in use, and identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version (the Block 60), for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.) Countries like Turkey can thus add the new components and turn an older F-16 into a more powerful late model. There are also some older (Block 1, 5, 15, 20, 25, 30) aircraft out there, all with two decade old technology. Turkey is also becoming a bigger player in the upgrade market. For example, Pakistan is having a Turkish firm to upgrade elderly Pakistani F-16s from Block 15 configuration to Block 40. Now that the U.S. has lifted its arms embargo on Pakistan, there are many firms competing for all the work needed to update older American weapons still used by Pakistan.

The Turks have long had good trade relations with Pakistan, and have also developed, with the help of the U.S. and Israel, a capable aircraft maintenance and upgrade industry. Most of the F-16 work will be done in Pakistan, using Turkish engineers and technicians supervising some local workers, and using largely imported (from Turkey and elsewhere) components. The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and more in production. There are 24 nations using the F-16, and 14 have ordered more, in addition to their initial order. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane production has plummeted about 90 percent.

But since the end of the Cold War, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going. This despite the fact that the F-35 is supposed to replace the F-16. But the F-35 price keeps going up (it's headed north of $100 million per aircraft), and the F-16 continues to get the job done at half that price.

Lockheed Wins $797M Order For 30 Turkish F-16s / Pentagon Contract Announcement

Lockheed Wins $797M Order For 30 Turkish F-16s / Pentagon Contract Announcement

(NSI News Source Info) February 25, 2009: The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Fort Worth, Texas for $797,132,785.

The F-16 is a single-engined, supersonic, multi-role tactical aircraft. The F-16 was designed to be a cost-effective combat "workhorse" that can perform various kinds of missions and maintain around-the-clock readiness. It is much smaller and lighter than its predecessors, but uses advanced aerodynamics and avionics, including the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire (RSS/FBW) flight control system, to achieve enhanced maneuver performance. Highly nimble, the F-16 can pull 9-g maneuvers and can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 2.

This contract action will provide 14 F-16C and 16 F-16D Block 50 aircraft for the Government of Turkey. At this time, $682,158,785 of Foreign Military Sales funds has been obligated. 312 AESG/SYKA, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity (FA8615-07-C-6034, PZ0005).

DTN News: Boeing Successfully Completes Flights Of 2 Wedgetail AEW&C Aircraft Modified In Australia

DTN News: Boeing Successfully Completes Flights Of 2 Wedgetail AEW&C Aircraft Modified In Australia

*Source: DTN News / Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, USA - February 3, 2009: The Boeing Company has conducted successful functional check flights of two 737-700 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft modified in Australia for Project Wedgetail. During each of the 2.5-hour flights on Jan. 21 and 28 from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Amberley, pilot Doug Benjamin and first officer Ed Wilson performed a series of functional tests that verified the airworthiness of the aircraft's systems and structures. The Boeing 737 AEW&C is an Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft. It was designed in response to Australia's RFP for an aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Project Wedgetail. The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by the Turkish Air Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force, and has been proposed to Italy and the UAE. The flight followed major aircraft modifications performed by Boeing Defence Australia at Amberley, including the installation and checkout of an advanced Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) antenna, ventral fins and mission system equipment. "These successful functional check flights demonstrate the significant capability we have here in Amberley to execute the complex modification work required to transform a 737 airplane into an AEW&C platform," said Wayne Needs, vice president and general manager for Boeing Global Services & Support, Australia. The two aircraft will be painted with RAAF markings over the next few weeks. Boeing will finish installing mission system equipment on both aircraft and conduct a series of ground checkouts later this year. The Wedgetail program includes six 737-700 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Three aircraft are currently in modification at Amberley while the other three are being flight-tested at Boeing's facility in Seattle. The 737-700 features 21st century avionics, navigation equipment and flight deck features. Because of its advanced technology, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance. The 737 series has a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. The modified AEW&C aircraft features Northrop Grumman's MESA antenna with integrated identification friend-or-foe capabilities; a flexible, open architecture for cost-effective future upgrades; an extensive communications suite; and aerial refueling capability.

Israel May Reject Turkish Arms Request

Israel May Reject Turkish Arms Request

(NSI News Source Info) February 3, 2009: As Turkish-Israeli diplomatic relations continue to crumble, the close ties between the two countries in other areas are being reexamined as well. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in front of President Shimon Peres during a plenary session on the Middle East Peace at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland. The Defense Ministry is considering rejecting a number of requests by Turkey to purchase advanced Israeli-made military platforms, officials told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. The IDF and the Turkish military enjoy strong ties, but there is growing concern in Israel that the military could be losing its power and influence within and over the government. "Turkey is eyeing moderate Arab countries and is hoping to strengthen its ties with them," one senior defense official explained. "Just like we don't sell advanced military platforms to Jordan and Egypt, we may decide not to sell to Turkey." According to officials, several Turkish requests recently submitted to the Defense Ministry's Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Organization (SIBAT) will need to be reviewed due to the change in political ties between Jerusalem and Ankara. The officials would not reveal which new military platforms Turkey had requested. The defense establishment is concerned that the diplomatic crisis with Turkey may also lead Ankara to annul an arrangement allowing the Israel Air Force to train and fly in Turkish airspace. "No one knows yet how this will affect our relationship on a defense level," explained one official. "We need to wait to see how this plays out." While defense officials reconsider the country's military ties to the Turkish state, other government officials worry about the significant business ties between the two economies. Non-military trade accounts for almost $4 billion annually, 60 percent of it in Turkish exports to Israel. Tourism is another enormous source of revenue for the Turkish economy, with 580,000 Israelis visiting Turkey last year according to government figures. Since the start of the diplomatic row over Operation Cast Lead, flight bookings to Turkey have dropped by 70%. However, "despite all the talk, no joint economic initiatives between the two states have been canceled," a senior Israeli diplomatic official told the Post Sunday. In particular, plans for a joint Israeli-Turkish infrastructure and energy corridor between the ports of Ceyhan and Haifa are still under way. "But people are starting to talk about the direction Turkey is taking," the official added. Politically, "Turkey's natural inclination is not toward Iran and Syria, but toward Europe and the US. Turkey wants to have regional influence - what could offer this more than a real role as a mediator between warring parties in the region?" asked the official. That mediating role has been severely damaged by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's excoriation of the Jewish State during the three weeks of fighting in Gaza. A senior diplomatic official told the Post over the weekend that Erdogan, and Turkey under his leadership, had "lost all credibility as an honest broker" in regional negotiations. In the field of defense, two Israeli companies most likely to lose out from a collapse in ties are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. In December, subsidiaries of IAI and Elbit Systems signed a $140 million deal to supply the Turkish Air Force with targeting pods. Israeli Military Industries (IMI) recently completed a $700m. deal signed several years ago with Turkey to upgrade the country's fleet of aging Patton-series M60 tanks. IAI also recently supplied Turkey with its advanced long-range Heron unmanned aerial vehicle. Sources in defense industries expressed hope that the crisis with Ankara would pass and would not have a negative impact on sales to Turkey. "Despite the soured diplomatic ties, there are very good relations between the two militaries," explained one official. "Israel has several contracts with Turkey that have been signed, and there is no reason to believe that they will not be upheld."

Israel's Heron Are In High Demand And Flying High

Israel's Heron Are In High Demand And Flying High

(NSI News Source Info) January 28, 2009: After four years of testing and development, Israel is replacing manned maritime aircraft, which patrol along its coast, with UAVs. The current patrol force consists of three Seascan aircraft, which are modified versions of the Israeli made Westwind executive jet.

This ten ton aircraft has a seven man crew and is equipped with a search radar, and can carry missiles. The Seascan has an endurance of six hours, and has been used for maritime reconnaissance for over thirty years. The Heron or Machatz-1 is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by the Malat (UAV) division of Israel Aircraft Industries. It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) operations of up to 52 hours' duration at up to 35,000 feet. It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight, but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less, due to payload and flight profile. There is a new version, Heron TP, also known as Eitan (UCAV). On September 11, 2005 it was announced that the Israel Defence Forces purchased US$50 million worth of Heron systems. The IDF's designation of the Heron is Machatz-1. Apart from Israel, the countries which operate the Heron are India and Turkey. France operates a derivative of Heron named Eagle. In 2008, Canada leased a Heron for use in Afghanistan. As of 2009, they have been deployed in the region. List of Heron operators: Israeli Defence Force - 1+ , Canadian Forces = 1+ , Indian Air Force - 50 Heron I, ? Heron II , Turkish Air Force - 10 & French Air Force - 1+ . The 1.1 ton Heron UAV, which enters service this year, can stay in the air for 30 hours or more, and has a payload of 500 pounds. This can include a search radar. Using the Heron, instead of the Seascan, will save a lot of money, and provide better coverage. The Seascan aircraft are about at the end of their useful lives. It was four years ago that Israel first began using some UAVs for maritime patrol. The United States has also been experimenting with this, as it is pretty clear that UAVs are ideal for this job. Maritime patrol consists of many hours in the air looking for whatever among not much. Boring as hell for humans, but ideal work for robots. While the U.S. is experimenting with the large, and expensive, Global Hawk, Israel (which really only has to worry about coastal patrols) is using a new version of the old, reliable, Heron, called the Mahatz I. One thing that makes UAVs for maritime patrol possible, or at least practical, is cheaper and more capable sensors. In the case of the Mahatz I, the radar used (synthetic aperture radar), works with onboard software to provide automatic detection, classification and tracking of what is down there. Human operators ashore, or on a ship or in an aircraft, are alerted if they want to double check using video cameras on the UAV. Also carried are sensors that track the sea state (how choppy it is). For this kind of work, one of the most important things is reliability. While the Heron/ Mahatz I is a bit smaller (at 1.2 tons) than the Predator, it is still pretty expensive (over $5 million each.) You don't want to lose them over open water. What the Israeli navy will be doing is finding out just how reliable the Mahatz I is when doing a lot of maritime patrol.