Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 17, 2008 - (Page 5)

FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Elbit Riding Defense Electronics Growth “The growing demand for defense electronics in all areas, air, land, sea and space is perfectly in line with our strategic direction, and we expect Elbit Systems to continue its growth in this market, through organic growth as well as mergers and acquisitions,” Yossi Ackerman, president and CEO of Elbit Systems told Show News. He indicated that while the company recently exhibited rapid growth, it is not expected to pursue more acquisitions this year. However, it is considering such actions in 2009. “Elbit Systems is best positioned to address the growing demand for defense electronics, electro-optics and unmanned systems,” said Ackerman. “Our wide portfolio of in-house solutions, implemented in hardware- and software-based, electronic, electro-optical and unmanned systems, is supported by our globally distributed presence, which is particularly strong in key strategic markets.” With customers engaged in the war against terror and other contingencies seeking “quick solutions,” reducing time to market, short-ening development cycles and maintaining robust systems have become an imperative. “Since Elbit Systems has such a large and diversified portfolio in defense elecities to support ongoing programs,” said Ackerman. “Although Elbit System is a medium-size company, we are being approached by the largest corporations as equals. They come with the market access, while we offer proven technologies, flexible operations, rapid prototyping and a skilled workforce that is ready to take on serious challenges,” Ackerman told Show News. “This show has been very successful for us. We conducted several successful meetings with the right people and the establishments we needed to promote our future growth and market position,” he concluded. —Tamir Eshel Elbit CEO Yossi Ackerman. tronics and electro-optics, many companies approach us to cooperate on future development or implementation of proven capabil- Lockheed Martin Chalks Up Sniper Targeting Pod Orders The Sniper targeting pod—although a good deal more expensive than its competition—continues to chalk up orders against competitors. A product of Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control Division, the Sniper is a podded version of the Joint Strike Fighter’s Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). The surprise win for the Lockheed product was in Singapore, where the Sniper had already been selected for the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) F-15SG fleet, in a competition to equip the island city-state’s fleet of F-16s. Despite the fact that Singapore is almost exclusively Israeli territory for defense products, the more costly Sniper was selected over Rafael’s Litening pod for 20 of the RSAF F-16s. Sniper, since it is an autonomous pod carried on a pylon and designed to be effective in the supersonic regime, is heavier (400 lb) than the F-35’s EOTS (150 lb), but it continues to be three to five times more effective in recognition capability and range than most other competing products. Near-term possibilities for the Sniper are the Kingdom of Morocco, which just signed to buy a batch of F-16s, and Taiwan. Competitions are on-going in Turkey, India (the M-MRCA program), Greece, Qatar and Jordan. —Reuben F. Johnson Sagem AASM launch from a Mirage. Sagem’s AASM Hits the Spot Successful completion of the third and last qualification test firing of the infrared terminal guidance version of AASM (Armament Air-Sol Modulaire) modular air-to-ground weapon was announced by Sagem yesterday. The test, conducted at the Biscarosse range in France by the DGA procurement agency, actually took place on July 9 and comprised a very low altitude launch against a target 16 km away. It demonstrated that the AASM’s infrared terminal guidance could accommodate a shift of 80 meters in the target coordinates transmitted to the missile before launch, yet strike within 1 meter of the actual location. Sniper is a podded version of the EOTS targeting system for the Joint Strike Fighter. www.aviationweek.com/shownews July 17, 2008 5 http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

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Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 17, 2008

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