Israel's Arie

In the mid-70s a group of IAI (Israel Air Industries) engineers and IAF (Israeli Air Force) officers began a new project to develop an ultra modern Israeli fighter aircraft – a project that was to become a quantum leap for the IAI.

Designed to be the most advanced of its kind in the world by any standards, the Arie (Lion), would give the IAF a reliable option to the advanced US F-15 and F-16.

Type Single-seat, multi-role aircraft
Max. speed 2.4 Mach
Max. altitude 75,000 feet

a pic :

Wow Looks Spectacular can u gimme more information about avionics etc

The Arie had several technological breakthroughs. It was designed to be the first Israeli aircraft to deploy digital fly-by-wire flight control system (at that time, point technology). This fly-by-wire concept, permitted the engineers to design an aerodynamically non-stable platform. Hence, they could achieve a smaller and highly maneuverable aircraft.

In the air-to-air version, to cope with enemy intruder aircrafts, and keeping its air-superiority capabilities, the Arie would be equipped with advanced avionics and special ordnance systems: a highly sensitive Israeli Radar capable of acquiring low-altitude flying targets. Advanced electro-optical systems would enable the Arie to locate ground targets at night.

Another breakthrough, was the pilot's option to use his helmet mounted sight, easing his combat workload. In the mid-70's these systems were nearly nonexistent. For example, it would take another ten years for the helmet mounted sight to become operational in any type of combat aircraft.

The Arie's cockpit resembles to a great extent, that of the F-16's early versions. Besides the Head-up Display (HUD), a Monochromatic Display was mounted in the cockpit for Radar data display.

Pilot's view was close to 360º visibility– a life and death factor in air combats.

The Arie's ordnance would include a 30-mm improved Dapa cannon, assorted air-to-air missiles, iron bombs, and TV and Laser guided ordnance. Max. military load:7 tons.

Although that aircraft was not meant to be a stealth aircraft, some primitive stealth capabilities were studied to give it the option to strike heavily fortified missile zones. This objective was based on the lessons learned during and after the 1973 Yom-Kippur war, when Israeli fighters had to face a huge number of SAMs. The Arie would also be equipped with an advanced Electronic-Warfare system produced by Israel , giving that aircraft an early warning signal to lock on in enemy threats and jam them.

Studies were made to drastically reduce its radar signature, making it extremely difficult to be detected by enemy radar. For example, its bomb load was to be stowed inside a conformal ventral capsule, to reduce its radar cross section.

It is needed to say that Arie was a predcessor of IAI Lavi.

www.hitechweb.szm.sk/fightersOF01.htm