이스라엘, F-35 JSF 구입 물량에 대해서 고민...

 

AW&ST 최신 기사로 올라온, 이스라엘의 F-35 JSF 구입과 관련된, 이스라엘 내부의 고민 혹은 반응을 정리한 내용을

소개합니다.

 

F-35 JSF 를 이스라엘이 구입을 한다 하더라도, 그 수량을 최소화로 하고, stealth UAV 등에 대한 개발을 검토하자는

의견을 소개하고 있습니다. 또한 최악의 경우 F-35 JSF 를 포기하자는 의견도 포함하고 있습니다.

 

지금까지 언론에 알려진 내용들을 근거로 하자면, 이스라엘은 최대 100대 정도의 F-35 JSF 를 구매할 것으로 예상하

고 있습니다. 그러나 최근에는 1차로 25대 정도 구매하는 방안에 대해서 검토에 들어갔다는 외신의 보도가 있었습니

다.

 

이러한 가운데서, F-35 JSF 확보에 대한 이스라엘 내부의 최근 분위기를 알려주는 AW&ST 의 기사로 판단되어 소개

합니다.

 

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F-35 Quandary

Israel weighs whether to opt for few—or no—Joint Strike Fighters

Aviation Week &Space Technology, 07/05/2010

Author: David A. Fulghum

 

Israel is making plans to both integrate the stealthy F-35 in smaller than desired numbers or, in extremis, to do without stealth altogether.

 

Electronic specialists say they are cobbling together more powerful electronic warfare systems based on wide-frequency active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to protect their non-stealthy aircraft. Defense officials contend that Israel is exploring the integrated use of manned and unmanned aircraft to attack defended air space. Aerospace designers hint that they are looking at stealthy UAV designs as well as at faster, higher-altitude and larger aircraft. There also are suggestions that programs in cyber-operations and network and electronic attack are under intense study as potential tactical weapons that can strike at expended ranges.

 

One of the few officials to talk openly about the contingency planning is Joseph Ackerman, CEO of Elbit Systems, who gave Aviation Week his perspective on the situation.

 

“We want Israel to have the very best system available,” Ackerman says. “I think we will eventually see a balance among U.S. [export policy], Israeli air force requirements and industry participation. There is a strong need to make the deal happen.”

 

However, several defense specialists contend that the F-35 may be the last opportunity to buy into manned stealth. Even a small force would be preferable to none as a deterrent.

 

“We only need a relatively small force, and it can be mixed with non-stealthy aircraft for a larger operational punch,” a retired Israeli army general says. “But then there is the delicate question of whether the F-35 is worth the huge cost. I’m not absolutely convinced that we need it. Upgrading F-16s and F-15s with long-range, standoff missiles could provide the needed long-range precision strike.”

 

However, former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dani Halutz says, “More-capable platforms mean more options for the operational planner. But there is a minimum size. F-35 is more sophisticated, so fewer platforms fit the [budget] trend exactly. It would allow us to cope with a shrinking budget and force size. And it would pull the rest of the non-stealthy fleet into new approaches.”

 

“No one can afford another B-2, or the 2018 bomber or whatever is planned after that,” Ackerman says. “Solutions will have to be cheaper, more robust and technologically risk-free.”

 

Elbit’s direction will be toward 1.1-ton tactical UAVs that can do all missions. However, no one here will discuss the country’s well-known capability to fire anti-tank-size missiles from UAVs, or its pronounced desire to see payloads increase into the 250-lb. precision-bomb category.

 

Very advanced communications and signals intelligence payloads are also in train, in an effort to continue surveillance of new communications capabilities being employed by stateless insurgents attempting to avoid detection and monitoring.

 

Other aerospace officials contend that the jet-powered, reduced-signature UAV is also a new requirement for Israel.

 

“We are ready with the basic technology,” says a veteran engineer. “The road maps are in place. The basic requirements for fighters also need to be used in UAVs. We don’t want to spend the money twice.”

 

Also high on Israeli planning agendas is moving AESA technology into wide-spectrum electronic attack, computer operations and cyberwarfare. They describe systems in the development stage that are similar to U.S.-developed Suter Program capabilities, which allowed specialized aircraft to fire data beams packed with exploitive algorithms into antennas associated with integrated networks such as air defense systems. A variety of enhancements are involved such as seeing the enemy’s radar picture and taking control as network administrator.

 

Cellular telephone intelligence is another area of intense work for Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems.

 

“There is a large commitment to the emergence of communications intelligence for cell phones,” says a specialist with insight into the programs. “Sometimes knowing [and tracking] the different types of communications is the only way to identify the bad guys.”

 

 

  ⓒ Lockheed Martin