6월 3일 예루살렘 포스트가 보도한 (관련 글 링크) 이스라엘공군의 F-15I 추가 도입 가능성에 대해 영국의 플라이트 인터내셔널도 기사를 냈습니다.

CFT를 크게 만드는 것이 옵션 중의 하나라고 하고 날개를 더 크게 만들 수도 있다고 합니다.

DATE:06/06/06
SOURCE:Flight International

Israel cuts short Apache upgrade
Arie Egozi in Mesa & St Louis

The Israeli air force has put on hold plans to extend an upgrade to its Boeing AH-64A Apache attack helicopter fleet, but is considering proposals from the US company to further extend the operating range of its 25 F-15I strike aircraft.

Israel, which operates 47 Apaches, signed a contract in 2000 under which Boeing will remanufacture an initial 18 of its A-model helicopters to the AH-64D Apache Longbow standard – dubbed the Saraf in Israeli service. A subsequent letter of intent added an additional six aircraft to the programme, but Israel recently informed Boeing that it has re-evaluated the project and removed the additional platforms.

Boeing is encouraging Israel to reconsider its decision, arguing it could make it harder to maintain Israel’s older helicopters or to introduce new technologies to the fleet in the future. “We made this clear to the Israeli air force and hope that they will come back to the original programme,” says Thomas Cunningham, manager of international rotorcraft business development.

Israel is expected to make a decision on whether to reinstate the six aircraft by the end of this year. Its last helicopters covered by the 2000 remanufacturing deal are now being modified at Boeing’s Mesa plant in Arizona.

Meanwhile, the air force continues to evaluate enhancements to its F-15I fleet, including the possible acquisition of additional aircraft. A range increase is now being evaluated, says Charles Van Gordon, manager of Boeing’s F-15 foreign military sales programmes. “Bigger conformal [fuel] tanks is one option, but not the only one.”

Another measure to increase the type’s range could involve design changes to the F-15I’s wing, Van Gordon says. “We talk with the Israeli air force on a daily basis and study their operational needs.” Israel continues to assess a follow-on order for the type, and recent deals to supply F-15s to Singapore and South Korea have provided Boeing more time to close a deal.




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작성자 : 백선호

이스라엘 신문인 예루살렘 포스트의 6월 3일자 기사에 따르면 이스라엘공군이 F-15I의 추가 도입에 관심을 보였다고 합니다. 이스라엘공군의 참모차장(?) Amir Eshel 공군준장이 3월에 보잉을 방문해서 추가 도입 가능성에 대해 논의했다고 하네요. 협상하는 단계는 아니고 그냥 처음 관심을 보인 정도입니다.
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>새로 살지도 모르는 F-15I는 이란 공격을 염두에 두고 연료 탱크가 더 커질 수도 있다고 합니다.