HAIFA, Israel, July 15 (UPI) -- The Israeli Defense Ministry has contracted Elbit Systems Ltd. to establish a mission planning center designed to support Israeli air force fighter pilots.
Israel-based Elbit was selected for the project as part of an initiative by the Israel Defense Ministry to support its modern combat doctrine training requirements. Under the approximately $55 million deal, Elbit will establish a mission planning center for the Israeli air force's F-16C/D and F-16I fighter aircraft pilots.
The mission planning center will be expected to support training in various mission scenarios and threat environments. Elbit will also provide instruction and maintenance services for the center.
"The mission planning system was developed in line with the modern combat doctrine that calls for the operation of multiple forces and thus requires interoperable training," Ran Hellerstein, Elbit Systems' Aerospace Division co-general manager, said in a statement.
"We take great pride in the Israel Defense Ministry selection and trust that Elbit Systems' vast experience in the training of air and ground forces and unmanned aerial vehicle operators, as well as our interoperability aptitude and accumulated experience in private funding initiatives, will result in the most suitable solution for the Israel military."
