NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Israeli Air Force

The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHaḤalal, "Air and Space Division", commonly known as חיל האוויר Hel HaAvir) is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. The current Commander in Chief is Aluf Elyezer Shkedy. It has approximately 1000 aircraft. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ... Aluf is the term used for general in the Israeli Defence Forces. ... Maj. ... Image File history File links IAF-roundel. ... â€œHebrewâ€ redirects here. ... An Air force is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ... Aluf is the term used for general in the Israeli Defence Forces. ... Maj. ...

History

Early years (1948-1957)

The IAF was formed when Israel achieved statehood in 1948 and found itself under immediate attack. Its predecessor, Sherut Avir, was the air wing of the Haganah. The IAF's humble beginnings made its first air victories particularly impressive and noteworthy; at first, it was assembled from a hodge-podge collection of civilian aircraft commandeered or donated and converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex-World War II (mostly Ex-Luftwaffe) combat aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199 (purchased from Czechoslovakia, and essentially Czechoslovak-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 62 Spitfire LF Mk IXE. Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries). Sherut Avir (SA) (in English: Air Service) was the air force of the Haganah and the forerunner of the Israeli Air Force. ... Haganah Poster (1940s) The Haganah (Hebrew: The Defense, ×”×”×’× ×”) was a Jewish paramilitary organization in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Avia S-199 The Avia S-199 was a fighter aircraft built in Czechoslovakia after World War II using parts and plans left over from Luftwaffe aircraft production that had taken place in the country during the war. ... German Airfield, France, 1941 propaganda photo of the Luftwaffe, Bf 109 fighters on the tarmac The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt in the early 1930s. ... The Supermarine Spitfire was an iconic British single-seat fighter used primarily by the RAF and many Allied countries through the Second World War and into the 1950s. ...

During the 1950s, France became a major supplier of warplanes to Israel, but the trust between the two countries was violated just before the Six-Day War, when France declared an arms embargo on Israel. This had a two-pronged effect: Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) significantly increased its efforts and abilities in weapons production (initially based on the French models) and the United States replaced France as Israel's principal military-aircraft supplier, producing the majority of the IAF combat fighters from the late 1960s until today. Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Saudi Arabia Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... For delayed access after publication, see Embargo (academic publishing). ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ...

The Six-Day War

During the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force achieved air supremacy by eliminating the vast majority of opposing Arab air forces on the first day of fighting. On June 5, 1967, in Operation Focus, a massive coordinated raid employing special Durandal and conventional bombs, rockets and strafing, the IAF destroyed most of the Egyptian air force while their planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day the Syrian and Jordanian air forces were virtually wiped out as well. The IAF shoot-down record at the end of the war was a claimed record of 451 enemy aircraft downed versus 10 downed of its own. While this operation was taking place, only a handful of aircraft were left to guard Israeli skies. Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Saudi Arabia Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Operation Focus (Hebrew: ×ž×‘×¦×¢ ×ž×•×§×“, Mivtza Moked) was the opening pre-emptive airstrike by Israel at the start of the Six-Day War of 1967. ... Named for a mythical French sword, the BLU-107 Durandal was a special type of bomb developed jointly by France and Israel during the 1960s to destroy air base runways. ...

The War of Attrition

In the War of Attrition, the IAF operated in air "dog fight" and bombing of strategic targets deep within enemy's territory. Notable operations were: Combatants Israel Egypt Soviet Union Strength unknown Egyptian: unknown Soviet advisors: 10,700â€“12,300 Casualties 594 soldiers and >127 civilians killed 2,000 soldiers and 700 civilians wounded[1][2] 15â€“16 aircraft lost[3] 10,000 Egyptian soldiers and civilians killedÂ¹ 3 Soviet pilots killed 101â€“113 aircraft...

September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... Operation Rooster 53 was an Israeli military operation during the War of Attrition to kidnap an Egyptian P-12 radar system. ... Super Frelon The Super Frelon was a heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France, now out of production. ... HMH-465 CH-53E doing an external lift in Iraq The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy transport helicopter. ... Soviet redirects here. ... Northermost part of Gulf of Suez with town Suez on map of 1856. ... is the 7th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Suez Canal, seen from Earth orbit, NASA. Ships moored at El Ballah during transit The Suez Canal (Arabic: , transliteration: ), is a large artificial canal in Egypt west of the Sinai Peninsula. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ...

Yom Kippur War

In the Yom Kippur War, the IAF suffered heavy casualties from Soviet anti-aircraft surface-to-air missiles but managed to regroup and assist IDF's ground forces and later bomb infrastructure targets in Syria and Egypt. One of the first battles in the war's air front was the Ofira Air Battle, involving two Israeli Phantoms against 28 Egyptian Mig-17s. IAF helicopters proved to be highly useful in logistics and rescue efforts (MedEvac). According to Israel, during that war, the IAF lost 102 planes while the Egyptian Air Force lost 235 and the Syrian Air Force lost 135. Combatants Israel Egypt, Syria, Jordan Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul... American troops man an anti-aircraft gun near the Algerian coastline in 1943 Anti-aircraft, or air defense, is any method of combating military aircraft from the ground. ... Akash Missile Firing French Air Force Crotale battery Bendix Rim-8 Talos surface to air missile of the US Navy A surface-to-air missile (SAM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft. ... Combatants Israel Egypt Strength 2 Phantoms 28 MiG-17s The Ofira Air Battle was one of the of the first air battle of the Yom Kippur War. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II[2] is a two-seat supersonic long-range all-weather fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Douglas. ... MiG-17 at the Central Texas Airshow, USA, May 2003. ... A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors consisting of two or more rotor blades. ... Look up Logistics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Rescue refers to operations that usually involve the saving of life, or prevention of injury. ... A [PC-12] of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. ... Egyptian Air Force Insignia The Egyptian Air Force, or EAF (Arabic: â€Ž, ), is the aviation branch of the Egyptian armed forces. ... The Syrian Air Force (Arabic: , Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al Arabiya as-Souriya) is the Aviation branch of the Syrian armed forces. ...

Growth (1973 - 1982)

From the 1970s onwards, following the Yom Kippur War, most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Those included the F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, E-2 Hawkeye and others. Combatants Israel Egypt, Syria, Jordan Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul... The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II[2] is a two-seat supersonic long-range all-weather fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Douglas. ... The A-4 Skyhawk was an attack aircraft originally designed to operate from United States Navy aircraft carriers. ... A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye of (VAW-113) launches from one of four steam-powered catapults onboard USS . ...

The Israeli Air Force has also operated a number of domestically-produced types like the IAI Nesher, and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir, which were unauthorised derivatives of the French Dassault Mirage 5 [Israel bought and paid (and was reimbursed for) for 50 Mirage 5's from Dassault Aviation, but they were not delivered due to the French embargo during the Yom Kippur war]. The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful US engine, produced under license in Israel. In 1976, the IAF participated in the Operation Entebbe rescue mission in Uganda using the C-130 Hercules for transport. The IAI Nesher is an Israeli-built military aircraft based on the French Mirage 5 Dassault had developed the Mirage 5 at the request of the Israelis. ... The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (Hebrew: ×›×¤×™×¨, Lion Cub) is an Israeli-built all-weather, multi-role combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. ... The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets. ... Combatants Israel PFLP RevolutionÃ¤re Zellen Uganda Commanders Yonatan Netanyahuâ€ Wadie Haddad Wilfried BÃ¶se Idi Amin Strength 29 Commandos Unknown Casualties Yonatan Netanyahu killed three hostages killed five commandos wounded 6 hijackers killed 45 Ugandan soldiers killed Operation Entebbe, also known as the Entebbe incident and occasionally the Entebbe...

During the 1980s and 1990s the IAF was equipped with a variety of additional U.S. aircraft (e.g. F-15, F-16, AH-1 Cobra, AH-64 Apache, and C-130 Hercules). The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ... The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ...

Bombing of the Osiraq nuclear reactor

On June 7, 1981 8 IAF F-16A fighters covered by 6 F-15A jets flew in Operation Opera, which entailed the destruction of the Iraqi Osiraq nuclear reactor. Eight IAF F-16 fighters flew to Iraq and bombed the nuclear facilities of Osiraq. Among the pilots that took part in the attack was the late Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut. He died on Saturday, February 1, 2003, when the US Space Shuttle Columbia he was riding on was engulfed in flames upon reentry. The attack was code named Operation Opera (sometimes also referred to as Operation Babylon or Operation Ofra) by Israel. The planes returned on almost no fuel. This operation is considered by many to be one of the most courageous air strikes in history. June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Combatants Israel Iraq Strength 8 F-16A fighters 6 F-15A fighters Unknown numbers of radar and Anti-aircraft artillery Casualties None 10 Iraqi soldiers and 1 French researcher killed Operation Opera (also known as Operation Babylon and Operation Ofra) was an Israeli air strike against the Iraqi Osirak nuclear... Osiraq was a 40 MW light water nuclear materials testing reactor (MTR) in Iraq. ... Ilan Ramon (Hebrew: ××™×œ×Ÿ ×¨×ž×•×Ÿ) (June 20, 1954 â€“ February 1, 2003) was a combat pilot in the Israeli Air Force and later the first Israeli astronaut. ... Astronaut Bruce McCandless II using a manned maneuvering unit outside the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. ... Combatants Israel Iraq Strength 8 F-16A fighters 6 F-15A fighters Unknown numbers of radar and Anti-aircraft artillery Casualties None 10 Iraqi soldiers and 1 French researcher killed Operation Opera (also known as Operation Babylon and Operation Ofra) was an Israeli air strike against the Iraqi Osirak nuclear...

1982 Lebanon War

During the 1982 Lebanon War, IAF planes destroyed the Syrian air defence without a single fighter lost and shot down 100 Syrian aircraft (however Syria claims to have shot down Israeli aircraft during the operation). However, one IAF A-4 Skyhawk, piloted by Captain Aharon Achiaz, was lost to a PLO SA-7 missile, with the pilot being captured. IAF AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles and other ground targets, including some T-72 main battle tanks. Combatants Israel South Lebanon Army LF (nominally neutral) PLO Syria Amal LCP Commanders Menachem Begin (Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon, (Ministry of Defence) Rafael Eitan, (CoS) Yasser Arafat Strength 76,000 37,000 Casualties 670 17,825 The 1982 Lebanon War (Hebrew: , Milkhemet Levanon), (Arabic: ), called by Israel the Operation Peace... The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ... A helicopter gunship is a military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground, using automatic cannon and machinegun fire, rockets, and precision guided missiles such as the Hellfire. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ... The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1971. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ...

For some years after the war's official end, however, IAF AH-1 Cobras continued to mount attacks on Hezbollah and PLO positions in south Lebanon. The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ... For other uses, see Hezbollah (disambiguation). ... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the...

Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

On October 1, 1985 Operation Wooden Leg undertook the bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF: 2300 kilometers, involving in flight refueling by an IAF Boeing 707. is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Operation Wooden Leg was the October 1, 1985 Israeli Air Force raid on the Palestinian Liberation Organizations headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia. ... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the... The Boeing 707 is a four-engine commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. ...

The attack provoked a strong outcry, even among the United States, Israel's strongest ally.

High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

During the 1990s the IAF upgraded most of its aircraft with advanced Israeli-made systems, improving the performances of the aircraft. In the 1990s the IAF also received the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship and equipped its aircraft with the Rafael Python 4, Popeye and Derby missiles. In 1991, the IAF participated in Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel. The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... The Python is a family of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) designed, developed, and manufactured by the Israeli weapons manufacturing company RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. ... The AGM-142 Have Nap is a missile developed in Israel and the United States. ... // The Python is a family of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) built by the Israeli weapons manufacturing company RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. ... Operation Solomon was a 1991 covert Israeli military operation to take Ethiopian Jews to Israel. ... The Beta Israel (Geez á‰¤á‰°á¡ áŠ¥áˆµáˆ«áŠ¤áˆ BÄ“ta IsrÄÄ“l, modern BÄ“te IsrÄÄ“l; Hebrew: ), also known by the term Falasha (Amharic for Exiles or Strangers, as they were called by non-Jewish Ethiopians â€” a term that is considered pejorative) are Jews of Ethiopian origin. ...

That same year, Israel was attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles during the first Gulf War. Israeli Air Force pilots were on constant stand-by in their cockpits throughout the conflict, ready to fly to Iraq to retaliate. Diplomatic pressure from the United States, however, kept the IAF grounded while Coalition air assets and Patriot missile batteries supplied by the U.S. and the Netherlands sought to deal with the Scuds. Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ...

In the new millennium, the IAF bought the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) and the F-16I Sufa (Storm), two of the most advanced variants of the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, manufactured specially for Israel according to the IAF requirements. The IAF has purchased 102 Sufa F-16I warplanes, the first planes arrived in April, 2004 (the IAF is the largest operator of F-16's after the US Air Force). The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile Rafael Python 5, with full-sphere capability, and considered among the best in its field, as well as a special version of the Apache Longbow, designated AH-64DI or Saraph. In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received special Gulfstream V jets (known as "Nachshon"), modified with the newest and most advanced intelligence systems in the world, all made by Israel Military Industries. For the game, see F-15 Strike Eagle (computer game) The F-15E Strike Eagle is a modern United States all-weather strike fighter, designed for long-range interdiction of enemy ground targets deep behind enemy lines. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Python 5 is a short range air-to-air missile developed by the Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael. ... The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... Saraph ×©×¨×£ (Saraph in English), is the Israeli name for the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack Helicopter, in its Israeli Air Force configuration. ... IMI logo Israel Military Industries Ltd. ...

Three IAF squadrons (150 Sqn, 199 Sqn and 248 Sqn), based at Sedot Mikha airbase, are thought to be responsible for Israel's surface-to-surface nuclear strike capability, maintaining a stockpile of between 21 and 100 Jericho I and II medium-range ballistic missiles^[1]. The Jericho III, capable of reaching targets throughout the Middle East and Europe, as well as much of Africa and Asia, is thought to be currently under development. Image File history File links IAF.pngâ€Ž Israeli Air force command structure Data taken from: http://www. ... Image File history File links IAF.pngâ€Ž Israeli Air force command structure Data taken from: http://www. ... Sedot Mikha Airbase is an airfield of the Israeli Air Force located near Zekharyah, south of Tel-Aviv. ... Jericho is a general designation given to the Israeli medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM). ... A Medium Range Ballistic Missile, commonly abreviated to MRBM, is a type of ballistic missile with a range between 1500 and 2000 km. ...

During the al-Aqsa intifada, the IAF was largely employed in targeted killings of leaders of Palestinian militant groups viewed by Israel as terrorists, most notably Salah Shakhade, Mahmoud Abu-Hunud, Abu Ali Mustafa, Ahmed Yassin and Abed al-Aziz Rantissi. This policy is controversial - due to the collateral damage caused in certain instances. Israel claims it is vital to fight terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties - including aborting strikes. For other uses, see al-Aqsa (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Assassination. ... Salah Mustafa Muhammad Shahade (1953â€“2002) (Arabic: ØµÙ„Ø§Ø Ù…ØµØ·ÙÙ‰ Ù…ØÙ…Ø¯ Ø´ØØ§Ø¯Ø©) was the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, until his assassination by Israel on July 22, 2002. ... Abu Ali Mustafa (Arabic:Ø§Ø¨Ùˆ Ø¹Ù„ÙŠ Ù…ØµØ·ÙÙ‰), dates (1938 to August 27, 2001), the nom de guerre of Mustafa Zibri, was a Palestinian leader and was general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine from July 2000 until he was assassinated by Israeli forces the following year. ... Sheikh Ahmed Ismail Yassin (Arabic: ) (circa 1937 â€” March 22, 2004) was the co-founder (with Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi) of Hamas, originally calling it the Palestinian Wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. ... Dr. Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi (in the Arabic script عبدالعزيز الرنتيسي) (October 23, 1947 - April 17, 2004) was the co-founder of the Palestinian Islamist paramilitary and political organization Hamas. ... Collateral damage is a U.S. Military term for unintended or incidental damage during a military operation. ...

In 2003, 27 retired Air Force Pilots including the famous commander Yiftach Spector composed a letter of protest to the Air Force Commander, announcing their refusal to continue and perform attacks on targets within Palestinian population centers, and claiming that the occupation of the Palestinians "morally corrupts the fabric of Israeli society". This letter, the first of its kind emanating from the Air Force, evoked a storm of political protest in Israel, with most circles condemning it as dereliction of duty. IDF ethics forbid soldiers from making public political affiliations, and subsequently the IAF commander, Dan Halutz, announced that all signatories were to be suspended from flight duty, after which some of the pilots reconsidered and removed their signatures. The Palestinian flag, adopted in 1948, is a widely recognized modern symbol of the Palestinian people. ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ... (Hebrew: ) (born August 7, 1948 in Tel Aviv, Israel) is an Israeli Air Force Lt. ...

After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa, Alice Miller, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women. Miller passed her entrance exams, yet failed the medical tests and thus did not qualify^[2]. The first female fighter pilot successfully received her wings in 2001 (several female navigators graduated before her). For the web browser of the same name, see Netscape Navigator A navigator is the person onboard a ship responsible for the navigation of the vessel. ...

Image File history File links IAF-roundel. ... Image File history File links IAF-roundel. ... The Star of David The Star of David in the oldest surviving complete copy of the Masoretic text, the Leningrad Codex, dated 1008. ...

Records and highlights

The Israeli Air Force is considered the strongest air force in the Middle East, and one of the best and most sophisticated in the world. Over the past few decades Israel has purchased sophisticated American fighters and installed on them its locally developed and produced avionics and weapons. Perhaps the greatest strength of the IAF is the skill of its pilots. Israeli combat pilots are considered among the best in the world, and hold a large number of shoot-down records. The IAF relies on its Air Intelligence Directorate for intelligence, including analysis of aerial photography. Many of the IAF's electronics and weapons systems are developed and built in Israel by Israel Military Industries, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit and others. An Air force is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Israeli Air Intelligence Directorate is a chief unit of the IDF Air Force. ... Intelligence (abbreviated or ) is the process and the result of gathering information and analyzing it to answer questions or obtain advance warnings needed to plan for the future. ... The Denver, Colorado skyline shot from a Cessna. ... IMI logo Israel Military Industries Ltd. ... IAI new logo The Avocet ProJet with IAI Logo Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: ×”×ª×¢×©×™×™×” ×”××•×•×™×¨×™×ª ×œ×™×©×¨××œ) or IAI (×ª×¢×) is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... Elbit Systems Ltd. ...

The IAF holds world records respective to the amounts of enemy warplanes shoot-downs, air combat performance, special operations, and air to ground operations from the jet era onward.

Six Day War

June 5, 1967 – the Six Day War: The destruction of the entire Egyptian air-force within three hours. By the end of the day the Syrian and Jordanian air forces were wiped out as well. The IAF shoot-down total at the end of the war was a claimed record of 451 enemy aircraft downed versus nineteen of its own. See: Operation Focus. June 5 is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... The 1967 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Six-Day War or June War, was fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. ... Operation Focus (Hebrew: ×ž×‘×¦×¢ ×ž×•×§×“, Mivtza Moked) was the opening pre-emptive airstrike by Israel at the start of the Six-Day War of 1967. ...

War of Attrition

March, 1969 until August, 1970 – the War of Attrition: 111 enemy warplanes were shot-down in dogfights by IAF pilots while only four IAF warplanes were shot down in dogfights by enemy pilots (according to Israeli sources). Also, during the Cold War the Soviet Union held close relationships with the Arab nations. On July 30, 1970 the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots — five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Combatants Israel Egypt Soviet Union Strength unknown Egyptian: unknown Soviet advisors: 10,700â€“12,300 Casualties 594 soldiers and >127 civilians killed 2,000 soldiers and 700 civilians wounded[1][2] 15â€“16 aircraft lost[3] 10,000 Egyptian soldiers and civilians killedÂ¹ 3 Soviet pilots killed 101â€“113 aircraft... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Mig may refer to: Mikoyan or MiG, formerly Mikoyan-Gurevich, a Russian military aircraft manufacturer Gas metal arc welding, also called MIG welding Mig Greengard, an online chess columnist (Mig on Chess) Main Industrial Groupings classification in trade statistics Mig Ayesa, an Australian singer-songwriter. ...

Yom Kippur War

October 9, 1973 – the Yom Kippur War: The destruction of the Syrian General Staff in Damascus: On October 9, 1973, two F-4 Phantom quartets attacked and destroyed the Syrian General Staff Headquarters in the heart of Damascus. The Syrian Air Force Headquarters was damaged as well. is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Israel Egypt, Syria, Jordan Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul... Nickname: The Seal of the Damascus Governorate Syria Syria Governorates Damascus Governorate Government - Governor Bishr Al Sabban Area - City 573 kmÂ² (221. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... The F-4 Phantom II (simply F-4 Phantom after 1990) is a two-place (tandem), supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. ...

Also, during the Yom Kippur War, the IAF shot down 277 enemy warplanes accounting for over a third of the IAF's total kills since 1948. Combatants Israel Egypt, Syria, Jordan Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul...

1982 Lebanon War

June 8, 1982 – 1982 Lebanon War: The destruction of the entire Soviet supplied Syrian air-defence system in Lebanon within a few hours without a single warplane lost; Syria with the help of the Soviet Union built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles. Also the IAF states it achieved in dogfights a total of 80 Syrian planes shoot-downs, without a single Israeli plane being shot down. is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Combatants Israel South Lebanon Army LF (nominally neutral) PLO Syria Amal LCP Commanders Menachem Begin (Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon, (Ministry of Defence) Rafael Eitan, (CoS) Yasser Arafat Strength 76,000 37,000 Casualties 670 17,825 The 1982 Lebanon War (Hebrew: , Milkhemet Levanon), (Arabic: ), called by Israel the Operation Peace...

2006 Lebanon War

The IAF played a critical role in the 2006 Lebanon War by leading the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. These strikes – mainly, though not exclusively, in southern Lebanon – were officially aimed at crippling Hezbollah's militia which is primarily based there. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war, destroying a good deal of Lebanese infrastructure. Widespread condemnation followed the IAF airstrike on an apartment building on July 30, 2006 near the village of Qana, in which at least 28 civilians were killed. Hezbollah shot down an IAF CH-53 Yas'ur helicopter on the last day of the war. Earlier, an IAF F-16I had crashed during take-off. Israeli aircraft also shot down three Hezbollah aerial drones during the conflict. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x1312, 1103 KB)http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2000x1312, 1103 KB)http://www. ... Combatants Hezbollah Amal[1] LCP[2] PFLP-GC[3] Israel Commanders Hassan Nasrallah Imad Mughniyeh[4] Dan Halutz Moshe Kaplinsky[11] Udi Adam Strength 600-1,000 active fighters 3,000-10,000 reservists[5] Up to 10,000 ground troops. ... Southern Lebanon is the geographical area of Lebanon composed of two Governates: the South Lebanon Governate and the Nabatiyeh Governate. ... For other uses, see Hezbollah (disambiguation). ... New York City: Union Square protest of Israeli bombing of Lebanon, August 3, 2006 International reactions to the 2006 Qana airstrike, which as of August 1, 2006, has been the greatest loss of civilian life in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, twenty eight people, largely involved the condemnation of Israel... The 2006 Qana airstrike was an attack by the Israel Air Force (IAF) on a building in the small community of al-Khuraybah near the South Lebanese village of Qana on July 30, 2006, during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... For other uses, see Hezbollah (disambiguation). ... HMH-465 CH-53E doing an external lift in Iraq The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy transport helicopter. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. ...

Other

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... The A-4 Skyhawk was an attack aircraft originally designed to operate from United States Navy aircraft carriers. ... McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. ... The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, perhaps the most famous ace of all. ... Aluf is the term used for general in the Israeli Defence Forces. ... Giora Epstein was an Israeli fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, and is the current world champion in shooting down jet fighters from another aircraft. ... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States Medical staff: Denmark, Australia, Italy, Norway, Sweden Communist states: Democratic Peopleâ€™s Republic of Korea, Peoples Republic of China, Soviet Union Commanders... The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ...

Pilot Selection and Training

Selection of pilots for the IAF could perhaps be best traced back to Ezer Weizman, widely considered the architect of the modern Israeli Air Force's aim of recruiting only the cream of Israeli society to man the aircraft of the country's air force. His reasoning was that the skill and bravery of the ground forces would be for naught if they could be attacked at will from the air. As a result, only those thought to possess the innate ability to succeed as Israeli pilots are even invited to begin the training process, and only the most qualified succeed in completing what is seen by many to be the world's most demanding military selection course. Ezer Weizman (×¢×–×¨ ×•×™×¦×ž×Ÿ) (Tel Aviv, June 15, 1924 â€“ Caesarea Maritima, April 24, 2005) was the seventh President of the State of Israel (1993-2000). ...

Consequentially, potential Israeli pilots are marked out several years before reporting for national service at age 18 based on factors such as high scores in school and on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and loyalty to the state. Those who meet these and other criteria are invited to participate in a six-day gibush (cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges. Recruits are screened not only for their ability to perform the tasks assigned, but for their attitude in performing them such as how they take hardships and unexpected difficulties, how well they work in groups and where they stand in problem solving, or disaster management situations. As many as 90 percent of those who commence the gibush will be dropped from further consideration at its conclusion. The physical demands of the 'gibush' have lessened over the past year after the death of a participant in the Gibush during 2006.

Those who do pass through gibush, embark on a three-year journey which includes learning how to be an officer and lead, and an academic degree. Part of the course involves spending time as an officer in an infantry unit, so the future pilot will know what his comrades on the ground expect from the air force. At each stage of the process, more and more recruits drop out in part as exams and quizzes become more frequent and difficult. Depending on how far the candidate progresses, someone expelled from the course at an advanced stage will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit.

For those few dozen who make it to graduation, only those with the highest academic and leadership scores will be allegedly assigned to train as fast jet pilots (considered the most desirable assignment), while the remainder will learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.^[3]

The pilot course was opened to women in 1995, though the first female pilot did not receive her wings until 2001, although several female navigators did graduate earlier. It is unclear whether Israeli Arabs may seek an air force training. In 2006, an Israeli Arab applied to be considered for the pilot program, but was not accepted.^[4] The Israeli Arabs, or 1948 Palestinians, are those Arabs who remained inside the borders of what would become Israel after 1948, when most Arabs fled the country in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (see also Nakba). They make up roughly 20% of Israels population. ...

List of IAF Commanders

Lt. ... Aluf Aharon Remez was an Israeli politician and the second commander of the Israeli Air Force. ... Aluf Dan Tolkovsky was the commander of the Israeli Air Force from May 1953 to July 1958. ... Ezer Weizman (×¢×–×¨ ×•×™×¦×ž×Ÿ) (Tel Aviv, June 15, 1924 â€“ Caesarea Maritima, April 24, 2005) was the seventh President of the State of Israel (1993-2000). ... Aluf Mordechai Mottie Hod (September 28, 1926- June 29, 2003) was the Commander of the Israeli Air Force during the 1967 Six-Day War. ... Benny Peled (1928 - July 13, 2002), born Benjamin Weidenfeld in Tel Aviv, Israel, was the commander of the Israeli Air Force during the Yom Kippur War and Operation Entebbe. ... David Ivry (born 1934) was the Israeli Ambassador to the United States from 2000 to 2002, and the ninth commander of the Israeli Air Force. ... Aluf (ret. ... (Hebrew: ) (born August 7, 1948 in Tel Aviv, Israel) is an Israeli Air Force Lt. ... Maj. ...

Aircraft

Historic

Fighters/Bombers

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1300x824, 162 KB) Description: Israeli upgraded F-4E Phantom II (IDF designation Kurnas 2000) with camera pod at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim airbase, Israel. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1300x824, 162 KB) Description: Israeli upgraded F-4E Phantom II (IDF designation Kurnas 2000) with camera pod at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim airbase, Israel. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1267x1430, 1317 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Israeli Air Force 69 Squadron IAF Plans for strikes against the Iranian nuclear program Metadata This file contains... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1267x1430, 1317 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Israeli Air Force 69 Squadron IAF Plans for strikes against the Iranian nuclear program Metadata This file contains... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1295x841, 168 KB) Summary Description: IAI Kfir at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim airbase, Israel. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1295x841, 168 KB) Summary Description: IAI Kfir at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim airbase, Israel. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1227x616, 108 KB) Summary Description: IAI Lavi B-2 prototype at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim, Israel. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1227x616, 108 KB) Summary Description: IAI Lavi B-2 prototype at Muzeyon Heyl ha-Avir, Hatzerim, Israel. ... Avia was a Czech aircraft company notable for producing biplane fighters, especially the B-534. ... Avia S-199 The Avia S-199 was a fighter aircraft built in Czechoslovakia after World War II using parts and plans left over from Luftwaffe aircraft production that had taken place in the country during the war. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Boeing. ... The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed for the US Army Air Corps (USAAC). ... The Bristol Beaufighter is also the name of a car produced by Bristol Cars in the 1980s. ... The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... The Dassault MystÃ¨re was a French fighter aircraft. ... Dassault Ouragan was an aircraft designed during World War II. Although the French, as citizens of an occupied country, were not able to contribute significantly to the great strides made in aircraft design made during World War II, after the war Marcel Dassault saw no reason why the French could... The Dassault Super MystÃ¨re French fighter-bomber was the first Western European supersonic aircraft to enter mass production. ... The de Havilland Mosquito[1] was a British combat aircraft that excelled in a number of roles during the Second World War. ... The Gloster Meteor was the Allies first operational jet fighter. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (Hebrew: ×›×¤×™×¨, Lion Cub) is an Israeli-built all-weather, multi-role combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The IAI Nesher is an Israeli-built military aircraft based on the French Mirage 5 Dassault had developed the Mirage 5 at the request of the Israelis. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The IAI Lavi (Hebrew: ×œ×‘×™×, Young Lion) was a combat aircraft developed in Israel in the 1980s. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II[2] is a two-seat supersonic long-range all-weather fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Douglas. ... The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of World War II. The P-51 became one of the conflicts most successful and recognizable aircraft. ... The Sud Aviation (SNCASO) S.O. 4050 Vautour II was a French bomber, interceptor, and attack aircraft used by the ArmÃ©e de lAir (AdA) and the Israeli Heyl HaAvir. ... The Supermarine Spitfire was an iconic British single-seat fighter used primarily by the RAF and many Allied countries through the Second World War and into the 1950s. ...

Utility

The AÃ©rospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... Auster Autocrat from 1952 For the Roman god of the south wind, see Notus. ... The Auster J-1 Autocrat was a 1940s British single-engined three-seat high-wing touring monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire. ... The Beech Aircraft Corporation, purchased by Raytheon Aircraft on February 8, 1980, and often called Beechcraft after the name they give their aircraft, is a manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. ... The Beechcraft Queen Air is a twin engined light aircraft produced by Beechcraft (now Raytheon) in several different versions from the sixties to the seventies. ... For other uses, see De Havilland (disambiguation). ... The de Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide was a successful British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s. ... Dornier logo. ... Do 27 used by Bernhard Grzimek The Dornier Do 27 was a German single-engine STOL-utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier GmbH (later DASA Dornier, Fairchild-Dornier). ... Dornier logo. ... The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a leading producer of military and civilian aircraft of the 20th century. ... The Grumman G-44 Widgeon is a small, six-person, twin-engine amphibious aircraft. ... The Grumman logo The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a leading producer of military and civilian aircraft of the 20th century. ... OV-1 Mohawk in flight The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk is a heavily armored and armed military observation and attack aircraft, designed for battlefield surveillance and light strike capabilities. ... The Miles M.57 Aerovan was a British short range low cost transport. ... Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd. ... The Noorduyn Norseman is a single-engine bush plane produced from 1935 to 1959, originally by Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd. ... Nord Aviation was a state-owned French aircraft manufacturer. ... Nord Aviation was a state-owned French aircraft manufacturer. ... The Nord Noratlas was a French military transport plane built by Nord Aviation in the 1950s. ... The PC-12 is Pilatus most successful aircraft to date. ... The Britten-Norman Islander (also known as the BN-2) is a light utility aircraft manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. ... The PC-12 is Pilatus most successful aircraft to date. ... The Pilatus PC-6 Porter (sometimes nicknamed the Jeep of the air) is a civilian utility aitcraft built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. ... Taylorcraft Aviation is an airplane manufacturer that has been producing aircraft for almost seventy years in several locations. ... The Taylorcraft B was a light, side-by-side two place, single engine, high wing monoplane built by the Taylorcraft Aviation Corporation of Alliance, Ohio. ...

Transport/Reconnaissance

The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was the airliner version of the 367 Boeing Stratofreighter, which in turn was the transport version of B-50 Superfortress. ... The Cessna 180 is a four- or six-seat, fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane which was produced between 1953 and 1981. ... The Cessna 205, 206, and 207, known variously as the Skywagon, Super Skywagon, and Stationair is a development of the popular Cessna line of high-wing, single-engine piston aircraft used for general aviation. ... PBY Catalina was the United States Navy designation for an American and Canadian-built flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s. ... Lamb Air C-46 The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Also known to the men who flew them as The Whale. The C-46 served a similar role as its brother the Douglas C... The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. ... The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Force in World War II. Like the C-47 Skytrain, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner (the DC-4). ... The Douglas DC-5, the least well-known of the famous DC airliner series, was a 16-seat, twin-propeller airplane intended for shorter routes than the DC-3 or DC-4. ... The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is the United States Navys all-weather, aircraft carrier-based tactical warning and control system aircraft. ... The Lockheed 18 Lodestar was a passenger transport aircraft of the Second World War era. ... The Lockheed Constellation, affectionately known as the â€œConnieâ€, was a four-engine propeller-driven airliner built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. ... Lockheed Hudson Mk V The Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of World War II. The Hudson was the first significant aircraft construction contract for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporationâ€”the initial RAF order for 200... The RWD-13 was a Polish touring plane of 1935, designed by the RWD team. ... The RWD-15 was a Polish touring plane of 1937, designed by the RWD team. ...

Trainers/Light Aircraft

Airspeed Ltd was established to build aeroplanes in 1931 in York, England by A. H. Tiltman and Nevil Shute Norway (the aeronautical engineer and famous writer, who used his forenames as his pen-name). ... The Airspeed Consul was a British light twin-engined airliner of the immediate post-war period. ... The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces during World War II and afterwards. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Boeing. ... WAVE in a Boeing Stearman N2S US Navy training aircraft. ... For other uses, see De Havilland (disambiguation). ... The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth was a 1930s biplane designed by de Havilland and operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. ... de Havilland Canada was an innovative aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in Toronto, Ontario. ... The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years. ... Fokkers first airplane, the Spin (1910) Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. ... Fokker S-11 Instructor The Fokker S-11 Instructor is a single engine two seater propellor aircraft designed and manufactured by the former Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. ... North American Aviation, Inc. ... The T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft designed by North American Aviation, used to train fighter pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II. The T-6 is... Piaggio is a company based in Italy that produces cars, motorcycles, scooters and aeroplanes. ... The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. ... The Piper PA-18 Super Cub was a single-engine piston aircraft manufactured by Piper. ... // Republic RC-3 Seabee Designed as a fun, inexpensive all-metal amphibious aircraft, the Republic RC-3 Seabee is a unique example of early post-war civilian aircraft. ... A Corsair II aircraft made by Ling-Temco-Vought. ... The Vultee Aircraft Corporation became an independent company in 1939 and had limited success before merging with the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in 1943 to form the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, or Convair. ... The BT-13 Valiant was a World War II-era basic trainer aircraft built by Vultee Aircraft for the United States Army Air Corps. ...

Helicopters

The AÃ©rospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... AÃ©rospatiale Super Frelon The AÃ©rospatiale Super Frelon was a heavy transport helicopter produced by AÃ©rospatiale of France, now out of production. ... The AÃ©rospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... The Alouette II is a light helicopter originally manufactured by Sud Aviation and later AÃ©rospatiale of France. ... Bell Helicopter Textron is an American helicopter and tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. ... The Bell 47 was the first helicopter to be certified for civil use on 8 March 1946. ... Bell Helicopter Textron is an American helicopter and tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. ... The Bell 212 Twin Huey (also known as the Twin Two-Twelve) is a medium civilian helicopter that first flew in 1968. ... Bell Helicopter Textron is an American helicopter and tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. ... For the twin-engined military models, see UH-1N Twin Huey and UH-1Y Venom. ... Hiller Aircraft Company was founded by Stanley Hiller in 1942 to develop helicopters. ... The four-place Hiller OH-23 Raven light observation helicopter was based on the UH-12 (UH for United Helicopters),[1] which was first flown in 1948. ... Sikorsky is an American aircraft and helicopter manufacturer. ... HMH-465 CH-53E doing an external lift in Iraq The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy transport helicopter. ... Sikorsky is an American aircraft and helicopter manufacturer. ... H-19 at National Museum of the United States Air Force, showing unusual mounting of engine The Sikorsky H-19, (also known as the S-55) was a multi-purpose helicopter used by the United States Army. ... Sikorsky is an American aircraft and helicopter manufacturer. ... The Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw (also known as the Sikorsky S-58) was a military helicopter originally designed for the US Navy for service in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. ...

Other

Hughes logo adopted after his death Hughes developed the AIM-120 AMRAAM, one of the worlds most advanced air-to-air missiles Hughes Aircraft Company was a major defense/aerospace company founded by Howard Hughes. ... The Hughes H-6 is a family of light utility civilian and assault helicopters of the United States Army. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... fgfgfgfg --213. ... Israel Aircraft Industries or IAI is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The Â£124 million Taranis UAV built by BAE Systems An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. ... The Northrop Corporation was a leading aircraft manufacturer of the United States. ... BQM-74E Chukar launching Diagram of a BQM-74E Chukar The Northrop BQM-74 Chukar aerial target drone is a recoverable, remote controlled, subsonic aerial target, capable of speeds up to Mach 0. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ... The Ryan Firebee was a series of target drones or unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Ryan Aeronautical beginning in 1951. ... The Â£124 million Taranis UAV built by BAE Systems An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ... The Ryan Firebee was a series of target drones or unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Ryan Aeronautical beginning in 1951. ... The Â£124 million Taranis UAV built by BAE Systems An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. ... Species See text. ...

Captured Aircraft

The Gazelle is a French-designed helicopter, created by the company Sud Aviation, that later became AÃ©rospatiale, and later still Eurocopter. ... For other uses, see De Havilland (disambiguation). ... The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was the second jet-engined aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (the first being the Gloster Meteor), although it did not see combat in that conflict. ... For other uses, see De Havilland (disambiguation). ... The de Havilland DH.112 Venom was a post- war jet single-seat fighter-bomber of the Royal Air Force. ... The Fairchild C-61, a single-engine monoplane aircraft, was a US Army Air Corps adaption of the four place Fairchild Model 24 used as a light transport aircraft. ... Mikoyan, formerly Mikoyan-Gurevich (Russian: ), is a Russian military aircraft design bureau, primarily for fighter aircraft. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Russian: ) (NATO reporting name Fagot) was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. ... Mikoyan, formerly Mikoyan-Gurevich (Russian: ), is a Russian military aircraft design bureau, primarily for fighter aircraft. ... MiG-17 at the Central Texas Airshow, USA, May 2003. ... Mikoyan, formerly Mikoyan-Gurevich (Russian: ), is a Russian military aircraft design bureau, primarily for fighter aircraft. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: ) (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... Mikoyan, formerly Mikoyan-Gurevich (Russian: ), is a Russian military aircraft design bureau, primarily for fighter aircraft. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Russian: ; NATO reporting name: Flogger) is a variable geometry, swept-wing fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. ... The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... The Yakovlev Yak-11 (NATO reporting name: Moose, Russian: Ð¯Ðº-11) was a trainer aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force and other Soviet-influenced air forces from 1947 until 1962. ...

Current aircraft inventory

Other aircraft: The Fork Tailed Doctor Killer. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Beechcraft King Air is a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation (now the Beechcraft Division of Raytheon Aircraft). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Bell Helicopter Model 206 JetRanger is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The first protype of this famous helicopter gunship took off on September 7. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, observation and light attack helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron and originally based on the companys Bell 206A JetRanger helicopter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Boeing 707 is a four-engine commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Boeing AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, and is the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... For the game, see F-15 Strike Eagle (computer game) The F-15E Strike Eagle is a modern United States all-weather strike fighter, designed for long-range interdiction of enemy ground targets deep behind enemy lines. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... A two seat turbojet powered trainer aircraft, the first Magister prototype flew on 23 July 1952. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... NASA Gulfstream V The Gulfstream G500 (Gulfstream V) is a private jet aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia, USA, a General Dynamics company. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics in the United States. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (formerly A4D Skyhawk, Douglas later McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing) is an attack aircraft originally designed to operate from United States Navy aircraft carriers. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy transport helicopters. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium-lift military helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Grob G109B motor glider, built in 1986 Grob Aircraft SPn at ILA 2006 This article is about aircraft manufacturer. ... The Grob G-120A is a two seated training and aerobatic low-wing aircraft with a corrosion-free carbon composite airframe. ... IAI new logo The Avocet ProJet with IAI Logo Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: ×”×ª×¢×©×™×™×” ×”××•×•×™×¨×™×ª ×œ×™×©×¨××œ) or IAI (×ª×¢×) is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The IAI Westwind was a highly successful business jet that became a cornerstone of the Israeli aircraft manufacturing industry and remained in production for twenty years. ... IAI new logo The Avocet ProJet with IAI Logo Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: ×”×ª×¢×©×™×™×” ×”××•×•×™×¨×™×ª ×œ×™×©×¨××œ) or IAI (×ª×¢×) is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... The Â£124 million Taranis UAV built by BAE Systems An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. ... IAI new logo The Avocet ProJet with IAI Logo Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: ×”×ª×¢×©×™×™×” ×”××•×•×™×¨×™×ª ×œ×™×©×¨××œ) or IAI (×ª×¢×) is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... EADS Socata is a business unit of EADS dedicated to the production of general aviation aircraft propelled by piston engines and turboprops, including small personal or training aircraft as well as small business planes, as well as the production of aircraft structures for other manufacturers such as Airbus, Dassault, Embraer... Socata TB-9 Tampico Socata TB-10 Tobago GT owned by Martinair vliegschool (flying school) Socata TB-200 Tobago XL Socata TB-20 Trinidad GT The Socata TB aircraft series are light single engine piston aircraft manufactured by Socata and designed in the late 1970s. ...

Helicopters

The AÃ©rospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... The HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable, Search-and-Rescue (SAR) helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). ... The Eurocopter Group is a global helicopter manufacturing and support company formed in 1992 from the merger of the helicopter divisions of French Aérospatiale and German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA). ... The Panther helicopter of the Cassard frigate transferring a light load to the Meuse Maneuvering of a Panther helicopter on the Cassard frigate The Eurocopter Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter Dauphin medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter and is manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by AÃ©rospatiale). ...

Missile Systems

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is a defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2005 it is the sixth largest defense contractor in the world[1]. The company has changed markedly in the post-Cold War era of defense consolidation. ... The FIM-92 Stinger is a man portable infra-red homing surface-to-air missile developed in the United States and used by all the US armed services, with whom it entered service in 1981. ... Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a major United States military contractor based in Waltham, Massachusetts. ... The Raytheon MIM-23 HAWK is an American medium range surface-to-air missile. ... Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a major United States military contractor based in Waltham, Massachusetts. ... Four Patriot missiles like the one shown here can be fired from this mobile launcher between loadings. ... IAI new logo The Avocet ProJet with IAI Logo Israel Aerospace Industries (Hebrew: ×”×ª×¢×©×™×™×” ×”××•×•×™×¨×™×ª ×œ×™×©×¨××œ) or IAI (×ª×¢×) is Israels prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. ... Arrow anti-ballistic missile launch The Arrow Interceptor (â€Ž, Til hetz) is a theater missile defense (TMD) system; it is the first missile developed by Israel that was specifically designed and built to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles on a national level. ... An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a missile designed to counter ballistic missiles. ... Jericho is a general designation given to the Israeli medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM). ... A Medium Range Ballistic Missile, commonly abreviated to MRBM, is a type of ballistic missile with a range between 1500 and 2000 km. ...

Space Systems

Amos is a name for a series of Israeli communication satellites. ... EROS satellites are high performance, low cost, light, highly maneuverable high-resolution observation satellites. ... Ofeq 5 Ofeq, also spelled Offek or Ofek (Hebrew: ××•×¤×§, Horizon) is the designation of a series of Israeli reconnaissance satellites. ... Shavit (Hebrew: comet) is a launch vehicle produced by Israel. ...

Airfields

Ben Gurion International Airport or Ben Gurion Airport (â€Ž, Namal HaTeÅ«fa Ben GÅ«ryÅn, Arabic: , maá¹Är Ben Ghuryon ad-dawlÄ«) (IATA: TLV, ICAO: LLBG), historically known as Lydda Airport and sometimes referred to today by its Hebrew acronym Natbag (â€Ž), is the largest international airport in Israel. ... Hatzerim Airbase is an airfield of the Israeli Air Force located in the Negev Desert on the the western outskirts of Beersheba. ... Hatzor Airbase is an Israeli Air Force military airbase, located in central Israel, near Kibutz Hatzor after which it is named. ... Megiddo Airport (IATA airport code: ???, ICAO airport code: LLMG), is an Israeli airport located near Megiddo (place) and 3 km southwest of Afula in Jezreel Valley. ... Nevatim Airbase is one of the three principle airfields of the Israeli Air Force located southeast of Beersheba. ... Ovda International Airport (IATA: VDA, ICAO: LLOV), sometimes transliterated as Uvda, is the southern international airport of Israel, located about 60 km (40 miles) north of Eilat. ... Palmachim Air Force Base is located near the city of Rishon LeZion. ... Ramat David Airbase is one of three principle airbases of the Israeli Air Force and is located southeast of Haifa close to Megiddo. ... Ramon Airbase is an Israeli airport southwest of Beer Sheba and formerly known as Matred. ... Sde Dov Airport (IATA: SDV, ICAO: LLSD) is a municipal airport located in Tel Aviv, Israel. ... Sedot Mikha Airbase is an airfield of the Israeli Air Force located near Zekharyah, south of Tel-Aviv. ... Tel Nof Airbase is one of three principle airbases of the Israeli Air Force and is located near Rehovot, Israel. ...

Contents

History

Early years (1948-1957)

The Six-Day War

The War of Attrition

Yom Kippur War

Growth (1973 - 1982)

Bombing of the Osiraq nuclear reactor

1982 Lebanon War

Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

Records and highlights

Six Day War

War of Attrition

Yom Kippur War

1982 Lebanon War

2006 Lebanon War

Other

Pilot Selection and Training

List of IAF Commanders

Aircraft

Historic

Fighters/Bombers

Utility

Transport/Reconnaissance

Trainers/Light Aircraft

Helicopters

Other

Captured Aircraft

Current aircraft inventory

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Helicopters

Missile Systems

Space Systems

Airfields

See also

Notes

References

External links

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Early years (1948-1957)

The Six-Day War

The War of Attrition

Yom Kippur War

Growth (1973 - 1982)

Bombing of the Osiraq nuclear reactor

1982 Lebanon War

Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

Records and highlights

Six Day War

War of Attrition

Yom Kippur War

1982 Lebanon War

2006 Lebanon War

Other

Pilot Selection and Training

List of IAF Commanders

Aircraft

Historic

Fighters/Bombers

Utility

Transport/Reconnaissance

Trainers/Light Aircraft

Helicopters

Other

Captured Aircraft

Current aircraft inventory

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Helicopters

Missile Systems

Space Systems

Airfields

See also

Notes

References

External links

History