Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)

The CCA: A force multiplier the IAF should build

Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are going to be essential for air superiority. Turkey has already built them but Israel has not even begun. Someone in the IAF should get on with it.

It was recently reported that Turkey’s “Kizilelma” unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) successfully struck a target aircraft with a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM). This was apparently the first time such a remarkable feat was ever accomplished by a CCA or “loyal wingman” drone. Making this event even more significant was the fact that the AAM employed had been developed in Turkey, as was the AESA radar used by the Kizilelma to detect and track the target.

Not surprisingly, many observers reacted to this development by recognizing Turkey’s ongoing successful efforts to achieve a high degree of military self sufficiency. Israel, in contrast, it’s been noted, doesn’t even have a CCA under development, despite its pressing need to break its dependency on the U.S. for military equipment.

People have to understand that the CCA is going to be an essential force multiplier for future air superiority fighters like the F-47. Basically, future pilots will be able to control any number of them for missions such as reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, jamming and even dog fighting against manned enemy fighters.

It’s important to note, that the CCAs will also be capable of conducting these missions autonomously, thereby reducing the work load of pilots. What we should be particularly aware of, though, is that pilots flying sophisticated 5th generation planes like the F-35, could probably be able to operate CCAs, as well. I hope people realize what this could mean for the IAF.

Israel definitely has the ability to produce a competitive CCA. IAI can build the airframe, BVR AAMs and ballistic missiles like the ER LORA are currently available and can easily be improved, while the all important AI systems needed by the CCAs to operate independently are clearly within our capabilities.

Assuming we had a force of CCAs available to augment our Air Force, what impact would they have on our ability to deliver a war winning first strike? Operating in conjunction with volleys of highly accurate hypersonic glide vehicles that would be targeting enemy air defenses, command control facilities and early warning radars, our CCAs would constitute a second wave that could either finish off any surviving enemy SAM batteries or be directed to target enemy ballistic missiles being readied for launch.

Clearly, the possibilities would be endless. Perhaps most important of all, the CCAs would provide a first strike scenario with the ability to both saturate a high value target as well as destroy many other secondary targets that we wouldn’t have the ability to hit because of our limited numbers of manned aircraft.

So, what is holding up our production of a CCA? It’s a good question because it isn’t because we lack the technical ability to build them. Indeed, when I presented some local aeronautical engineers with a design based on a modernized version of the Horton 229, they immediately assured me we could build it. Roughly the size of an F-16, this CCA would probably outclass most of its competitors, thereby providing the IAF not only with a highly effective long range force multiplier, but would also generate tremendous export sales.

Perhaps someone should point this out to the IAF command staff and order them to get on with it.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418865

Garden Gnomes Win Legal Battle

Garden gnome

Couple with garden ornaments of gnomes  win Legal battle to keep them

A couple whose 'tacky' garden ornaments sparked a war with their neighbours have won a battle to keep them.

Adina and Sorin Banatean thought their collection of over 30 gnomes, golden lion statues and lights would cheer up their neighbourhood.

But their colourful front garden instead quickly sparked a furious reaction from their fellow residents who claimed they had 'brought shame to the area'.

The rows erupted after the couple installed a fake well, two pergolas, and a large bird feeder in May this year at their home in Nelson, Lancashire, without planning permission. 

This led a number of neighbours to complain to Pendle Council saying they are 'not pleasant to view.'

But Mr and Mrs Banatean have defiantly fought back against their fellow residents stressing: 'It is our property, and what we did was within our garden.'

The couple applied for retrospective planning permission after received a letter from the council in May outlining the work they completed needed planning permission and that they had received complaints.

Yet despite this council officials approved the couple's application allowing them to keep the decorations to their 'delight'.

Mr Banatean, who is originally from Romania, said: 'I was happy when the council approved our application as we weren't sure if they were going to.

Mr and Mrs Banatean's garden

'It is our property, and what we did was within our garden. We love the garden and the gnomes, they make us happy, the children love them.

'It was just two or three complaining neighbours.'

The pergola stretches from the entrance gate to halfway up the path towards the house, with metal pillars and chains hanging between them running the length.

In the corner of the garden site the ornamental well next to the road, with the tall bird feeder, which resembles a Swiss cuckoo clock, sited on the front lawn.

The lawn is also dotted with over 30 garden gnomes and ornaments adding to the aesthetic.

Their retrospective planning application drew eight complaints from nearby residents.

One complaint said: 'The wishing well, with its large-sized flashing lights, is obstructive, unsightly and appears out of place.

'The overall proposal is very unattractive and negatively impacts the area.'

The wishing well in Mr and Mrs Banatean's garden

Another said: 'The garden ornaments are over the top and the amount of lights on the outside of the property are above the level of any normal home.

One other neighbour said: 'I just don't think that everything that's been done is in keeping with the area.

'I spoke with one of the residents who's having problems with rats and bird muck from the pigeons which are from the bird house which is in the garden..'

Another complaint said: 'The extra large well with its flashing lights ship wheels and garden norms on it are adding to traffic slowing down or stopping in the road to get a look at the mad hatters tea party in disbelief which is so dangers to other read users.

'If this is approved it will be a shame to the area.'

One resident claimed the wishing well is 'obstructive' and 'unsightly'.

In a report to officials on October 8 earlier this year, planning officer John Halton recommended the application to be approved.

He said the installations were all 'appropriate with a garden setting'.

Cllr Halton also said that 'the intensity and direction of the lighting does not materially affect light levels to the extent that it would cause disturbance to neighbours or wildlife'.

He said there were no material reasons to reject the application, and the ornaments were approved and can remain in the garden.

Lancashire County Council, which acted as the local highway authority, didn't raise an objection regarding the above retrospective development.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15348577/Couple-tacky-garden-ornaments-gnomes-golden-lion-statues-lights-sparked-war-neighbours-win-battle-them.html

There are believed to be around six million garden gnomes across the UK

The sea of garden gnomes

Woman finds 107 gnomes outside her front doorstep

The gnomes as seen from her upper window, left, and front door, right

Gnomes in the garden 

Bluey gnomes were a quick sell-out

Meerkat garden statues

Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnorman playing air hockey

More than 10,000 gnomes in this garden

Garden gnome

Lockheed Martin extends cooperation with Israel

 F-35

Lockheed Martin extends cooperation with Israel

To date, Lockheed Martin has invested more than $4 billion - $470 million in the past five years - with Israeli defense and aerospace industrial cooperation projects.

Lockheed Martin, together with Israel’s Industrial Cooperation Authority, signed an extension for the Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement (UICA), through the end of 2029. The ceremony was led by Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John, Lockheed Martin Israel Chief Executive Tal Galor, MOC's Head of Industry Division Nurit Tsur-Rabino and Head of ICA Department Yazeed Sheick-Yousif.

Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry: "The extension of the agreement with Lockheed Martin is a clear vote of confidence in Israeli industry and in our capacity for innovation. This collaboration strengthens Israel’s security, creates new engines of economic growth, and brings investments that provide significant opportunities for local industries to expand and increase exports. We will continue to lead initiatives that attract strategic partners to Israel and generate thousands of high-quality jobs across the country."

“Extending the Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement reinforces Lockheed Martin’s ongoing role as a trusted partner to Israel,” said Frank St. John, Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer. “It enables us to strengthen resiliency through a broader industrial footprint, deepen collaboration with leading Israeli companies, and advance high-impact STEM initiatives that build the talent pipelines essential for future allied defense capability. We are proud to grow these partnerships and deliver long-term security, technological innovation, and economic value for Israel.”

Lockheed Martin and the Government of Israel first signed a framework industrial cooperation agreement in 2005. To date, Lockheed Martin has invested more than $4 billion with Israeli defense and aerospace industries, leveraging Israel’s advanced technology industry.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418750

Lockheed Martin extends industrial cooperation with Israel through 2029, aiming to boost trade

One of the biggest American defense companies, Lockheed Martin currently supplies Israel with combat aircraft such as F-16 and F-35 jets, giving Israel a significant advantage throughout the region.

Lockheed Martin and Israel’s Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA) agreed to extend their partnership for another four years, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

In a ceremony attended by officials, including Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat and Head of ICA Yazeed Sheick-Yousif, as well as Lockheed Martin COO Frank St. John and Lockheed Martin Israel Chief Executive Tal Galor, the American defense and aerospace manufacturer extended its Umbrella Industrial Cooperation Agreement (UICA) through 2029.

A UICA, signed between the ICA and a foreign company, allows the company to sell goods more easily in Israel. Lockheed Martin and Israel first signed cooperation agreements in 2005, and since then, the firm has invested over $4 billion in the Jewish State, according to the statement.

Previous cooperation with Israel

Signed in 2020, the current UICA between Israel and Lockheed Martin led the firm to invest more than $470 million locally. For example, in 2022, Lockheed Martin launched kindergartens in northern Israel to encourage creativity and interest in STEM among children. 

"These kindergartens are a part of the concept we are leading in the education system, focusing on exposing children to the world of science and technology at an early age, as part of their natural educational environment inside the kindergarten,” said then education minister Yifat-Sasha Biton.

Barkat lauded the new agreement, calling it a “clear vote of confidence” in Israeli industry and innovation.

“This collaboration strengthens Israel’s security, creates new engines of economic growth, and brings investments that provide significant opportunities for local industries to expand and increase exports,” he continued. 

St. John emphasized the importance of the deal, stating that “[the agreement] enables us to strengthen resiliency through a broader industrial footprint, deepen collaboration with leading Israeli companies, and advance high-impact STEM initiatives that build the talent pipelines essential for future allied defense capability.

One of the biggest American defense companies, Lockheed Martin, supplies Israel with combat aircraft such as F-16 and F-35 jets, which give Israel a significant aerial advantage throughout the region. Additionally, the company entered into an agreement with Israeli defense firm Rafael to develop a version of the Iron Beam laser defense system for the American market.

Israeli exports go on despite war

Despite the many fronts of war Israel faces, 2024 marked a record year for defense exports, reaching over $14 billion in value, according to the Ministry of Defense. Even during the course of the Israel-Hamas War, Israel has signed contracts to export weapons to major countries, many of whom see Russia and China as threats to their safety. 

This week, Germany announced the deployment of the Israeli Arrow 3 missile defense system as part of a $3.6 billion deal. 

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-879041