Israel Aerospace Industries gives new life to veteran helicopters
As the most common aviation platform operated by military and government agencies, helicopters are utilised extensively, in large numbers and on different types of missions. Tens of thousands of helicopters, such as the American-made Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin Blackhawk UH-60, the Airbus ‘Puma’, and Russian Helicopters Mi-8/17/171 have proven to be robust, reliable and longliving platforms that have remained in service for decades. From an air worthiness perspective, these platforms are still completely functional, but their long lifespan has led to a new problem. As the years pass and demand grows for new systems that can perform increasingly complex missions, the systems on these platforms no longer meet current demands . To give these helicopters a new lease on life, IAI has developed programmes that upgrade them into modern and potent platforms.
“We take these incredibly reliable helicopters and turn them into modern, combat-ready platforms suitable for the 2030s,” stated Haim Shriki, helicopter upgrade programmes leader at IAI’s Aviation Group. According to Shriki, such upgrades may include a complete overhauling of the platform, like the one carried out on the UH-60A/L for example. An avionics upgrade may also standardise helicopters fleets, and IAI also offers mission-specific conversion packages for helicopters.
“With the US Army replacing its Blackhawk UH-60 A/L models with the new UH-60M, plenty of helicopters are now available as US military surplus,” Shriki noted. “Given proper modernisation and refurbishment, these helicopters can continue to operate for decades and will have mission capabilities similar to those of the new M model, at half the price.”
Such a package includes an avionic upgrade that converts the analog instruments and avionics into a modern ‘glass cockpit’, with a moving map display, command, control, and communications management systems, full mission planning, and management capability. With these systems, the modernised helicopter operates better in both day and night, safely pursues formation flight at night, and tightens cooperation with other aircraft or ground forces through improved situational awareness. Additionally, the package may include integration of weapons management systems and self-defence measures, with optional weapons carriage, improving the Blackhawk’s role in combat support.
IAI also offers avionic modernisation for other helicopters, such as the Mi-8 and 17, utilising its Integrated Avionic & Display System (IDAS). Based on an open system design and powerful Display and Mission Computers (DMCs), IDAS enables helicopter upgrade packages to be tailored to users’ specific requirements. Designed with modern modular open architecture utilising Mil-Std 1553B and other commonly used interfaces, the system integrates multiple colour displays and moving map systems showing advanced tactical situation pictures along with essential instrument readings. The cockpit and displays are compatible with aviator night vision system (ANVIS) goggles.
According to Shriki, by modernising existing platforms instead of buying new ones, customers can now double the sizes of their combat-ready helicopter fleets. Furthermore, where mixed fleets are used, the project can standardise the avionics and interfaces in accordance with customers’ preferences. “Unlike new, off-the-shelf platforms that are very expensive to adapt or change, our modernisation packages are flexible and suited to conveniently meeting specific customer demands,” he added.
Equipping helicopters for naval operations is another line of activity for the IAI Aviation Group. These programmes focus on equipping helicopters with maritime operational systems and on integrating naval helicopters with modern systems. IAI has integrated a modular package for naval helicopters known as Skimmer, which has been utilised with Eastern bloc Ka-28 helicopters (the export version of the Russian Kamov-Ka-27) and with Western platforms.
Skimmer packs sensors, computers, and weapons in a full mission system such as maritime surveillance or antisubmarine warfare. Typical elements include a radar, EO/IR payload, sonar, and torpedoes, that are all interfaced with onboard avionics, communications, and operator workstations.
IAI’s Aviation Group has decades of experience in aircraft modernisation and upgrading, including helicopters of different types and makes. As an aircraft designer and manufacturer, IAI has the knowledge and expertise to develop, manage, and complete upgrade programmes while adhering to budgets and in a timely manner. “There are many suppliers offering avionic upgrades, but only a few can offer such a comprehensive package and customise it to the user like IAI,” stated Shriki. The upgrade is often done at IAI, where experienced specialists, many of whom are former Israeli Air Force personnel, put together the technical package, integrate the avionic system and put the platform through flight tests. IAI also provides training and support, both technical and logistical, over the life cycle of the programme. Serial conversions and system support are often done by the customer or by a local subcontractor, thus enabling the customer to shift part of the programme’s costs to domestic vendors, with full support from IAI. This technical and business cooperation allows IAI’s helicopter modernisation and avionic upgrading programmes to be beneficial to all parties involved.
IAI’s vast experience in diversified technological and operational areas has led to numerous successful programmes around the globe including in India. Several projects for the Indian defence forces are currently in different stages of implementation, both directly and through industrial cooperation with local partners. One example of such meaningful cooperation that we are very proud of involves the introduction of IAI’s comprehensive avionics package for helicopters through cooperation with the reputable helicopters developer and producer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. As part of this programme, hundreds of IAI’s advanced avionics systems are already operational in India.