[Avionics Today 01-06-2014] Elbit Systems has been awarded an approximately $100 million contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) to procure six new firefighting aircraft and operate the firefighting squadron. The contract, to be performed over an eight-year period, also covers flight hours, infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, airstrip operation, handling of fire retardants and other aspects of operating the squadron.
The firefighting fleet, manufactured by Air Tractor, are single-engine aircraft, capable of carrying approximately 3,000 liters of water and flying three hours without refueling. The year has started off well for Elbit, as this announcement follows news of another recent contract with IMOD to maintain the country’s F-16 fighter jet avionics systems.
"We are very proud to be selected for this opportunity to harness our professional capabilities and vast experience to the collective efforts of protecting Israel’s residents and natural landscape,” said Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO of Elbit Systems.