This success is due to the need of Israel to stay vigilant thanks to ever present trouble around its borders. This heightened state of regional turmoil means the need for Rafael's products will remain acute for some time to come. Of particular interest are air and missile defense systems, such as Iron Dome and David's Sling. Rafael's Iron Dome proved effective during clashes between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip. According to reports, the system performed well, intercepting hundreds of rockets headed toward major population centers in Israel. Israeli officials say it has a success rate as high as 90 percent. The success of the Iron Dome against rocket attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah is helping to spur foreign interest in this system. Pyongyang's antagonistic behavior has South Korea considering the Iron Dome, but the United States decided to purchase the system before South Korea does. The company scored a couple of wins in the U.S. of late, most recently with its Iron Dome system. In 2019, the U.S. Army bought two of these systems as an interim measure to fulfill the service's cruise missile defense capability. Raytheon and Rafael jointly developed Iron Dome, and the system is partly manufactured in the U.S. The success of the Iron Dome in countering large barrages of rockets in the mid-2021 Gaza conflict has created interest in further U.S. acquisitions of the system. Earlier, the U.S. Army selected Rafael's Trophy active protection system to protect M1 Abrams tanks. Over the past few years, the U.S. has ordered enough systems to equip four brigades of tanks. Rafael and its partner, Leonardo DRS, are currently testing a smaller version of the system for use on smaller armored vehicles such as the Bradley and Stryker. This system has also garnered interest in the U.K. In June 2021, Trophy was selected for the next phase of detailed assessment and integration for the UK Army’s Challenger 3 tanks. In its major segments, Rafael holds a reasonable share of the air-to-air missile market in spite of heavy competition from rivals such as Raytheon and MBDA. According to FI's Platinum Forecast System, Raytheon and MBDA account for 37 percent (20 percent and 17 percent, respectively) of the air-to-air missile market's value share (some $15.8 billion in sales over the next 15 years between the two out of a total market value of $37.4 billion). Rafael's share is much smaller - about 6.1 percent - but sufficient contracts will be secured to generate revenues of about $2.1 billion over the next 15 years. With its products performing well, Rafael has been focusing its corporate activities on promoting itself abroad. The company is leveraging the success of indigenous systems abroad as part of an ongoing strategy to push beyond borders. Rafael has begun to penetrate other markets, successfully establishing itself in difficult areas such as Chile, India, Singapore, and South Africa. The key to its success in these areas has been its focus on affordability and adaptability rather than bleeding-edge developmental technology. Due to Israel's precarious posture in the Middle East, the development of sophisticated weapons systems has been a priority since the nation's inception. As the country's premier R&D house, Rafael will remain strongly financed for a long time to come, especially as strife continues throughout the region, the COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding.

Source:  Forecast International Government & Industry Group
Associated URL: rafael.co.il
Author: R. Pettibone, Gov't & Industry  

The head of Rostec Sergey Chemezov was interviewed by Dmitry Reshetnikov of RIA Novosti on various technical features of the new fighter, its export potential, capabilities on interacting with drones and further plans to create an unmanned fighter based on this particular design.

Reshetnikov: Could you give an introduction of the aircraft that was unveiled today?

Chemezov: It is a fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities and high flight performance. The model is equipped with advanced avionics and most capacious weapon bays within its class. In its stealth configuration, Checkmate is capable of carrying up to five air-to-air missiles of various ranges, as well as other aviation weapons. We actively used supercomputer technologies during the creation process, allowing to significantly save both time and funds spent on development and testing.

The aircraft has a unique set of flight and combat characteristics while maintaining an affordable price and relatively low operating cost per flight hour. For example, it has a maximum combat payload of 7,400 kilograms and a flight range of 2,900 kilometers without additional fuel tanks. These are remarkable numbers for a light single-engine plane.

I would like to note that this is not just a fighter jet, but a high-tech smart aviation platform, with open architecture and adaptability: it can be assembled in several configurations, based on concrete requirements of the customer. It also holds great potential for modernization.

The key concept of the project is summarized by its name, Checkmate. The role of the plane is similar to the knight piece from chess: maneuverable and capable of executing unexpected moves that decide the course of the game.

Reshetnikov: The plane has a prototype that is ready for testing. How does its design differ from older Su-57 or Su-35 models?

Chemezov: Both Su-57 and Su-35 are unique planes by their right, you could call them as part of the "major league." Nevertheless, their capabilities are limited and not fit for particular missions. Checkmate is a "lightweight" platform, optimal for solving urgent tasks with minimal financial costs. It has very high level of combat effectiveness considering its relatively low cost and cheap flight hour. Its advanced modern avionics allow it to engage in air combat and attack ground attacks with active phased array radar, providing effective targeting capabilities even under strong electromagnetic interference. At the same time, its electronic warfare equipment allows the plane to avoid detection and evade enemy weapons. Checkmate can use a full range of weapons to fight against any air, land, sea targets, as well as counteract most advanced anti-air defense systems.

Reshetnikov: How would you assess the export potential of the aircraft, what markets is it focused on?

Chemezov: Without a doubt, Checkmate has high export potential. It is capable of solving wide range of objectives faced by different customers, effectively destroying land and sea targets, and fighting for air supremacy against a numerically superior enemy. The combination of high combat payload, modern equipment and low cost per flight hour makes the aircraft extremely cost-effective considering its combat capabilities. The flexible use of various configurations allows to accurately customize it to meet the needs of almost any potential customer. We are offering the platform equipped with wide selection of modern avionics and armament. Each customer can choose exactly what he needs. Currently, potential customers include the countries of the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Reshetnikov: How will the after-sales service system work?

Chemezov: The Matryoshka automated logistic support system was specially created for this aircraft. It allows organizing personnel training, planning maintenance with high precision and delivering necessary components on time. The system will reduce after-sales service costs while increasing its efficiency, and ensure a high level of combat readiness of the fleet, even during high-intensity operations.

Reshetnikov: What plans do you have to further improve this platform?

Chemezov: Checkmate is the combat system of the future. It is possible to create an unmanned version of the plane based on unified aviation platform. Future versions will be able to execute coordinated group operations with both manned and unmanned vehicles, combined into one system. Unmanned wingmen will be able to exchange information, instantly react to a changing combat situation, and automatically distribute and perform even the most complex tasks.

Source:  Rostec
Associated URL: rostec.ru

"I am extremely excited about the future of Bristow. Maverick and their team of motivated entrepreneurs with significant experience in the aviation industry are going to energize Bristow and grow the company through the next stage of its long history. I will have ongoing involvement in Maverick and Bristow to help guide the new team and assure our valued clients that the stability and quality of work that Bristow is known for will not be compromised," said Bill Paliwoda, Bristow investor and former President of the company.

"Bristow's industry-leading success has been built off their high-quality craftsmanship, client servicing, entrepreneurial management, and people-focused approach. Bristow is relied upon by customers from Mongolia to Abu Dhabi to New York to Edmonton. We are extremely excited to get involved with a company with such an incredible team and operating tenure, and we will be focused on increasing investment and expanding Bristow's capabilities and market presence," said Trevor Rehberg-Besler, co-founder and President of Maverick and now President of Bristow.

Headquartered in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Bristow has been providing aviation instrumentation services to its customers for more than 70 years. Its AMO specializes in sales and service of many types of aircraft instruments, accessories, and components for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, its ground equipment repair and calibration capabilities include torque wrenches, digital multimeters, calipers, pressure gauges, dial indicators, and micrometers.

Source:  Bristow Instruments (1977) Ltd