IAI offers Skimmer maritime helicopter conversion kit

Jan. 30, 2013 by Arie Egozi- FG

Tel Aviv - Israel Aerospace Industries is offering what it describes as a "very cost-effective" way of converting a basic helicopter to one fully capable of performing maritime missions.

The Israeli company is exploring co-operation opportunities with leading maritime rotorcraft manufacturers and users over the potential to supply its Skimmer integrated naval helicopter package for future mission requirements.

IAI says the Skimmer package can integrate equipment including a radar, sonar, electro-optical sensor, datalink, electronic support measures and communications intelligence arrays, also with mission management and monitoring systems. Weapons such as anti-ship missiles can also be installed, with the system to be adapted for specific requirements ranging from anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare to amphibious assault, special operations and coastguard tasks.

The system can be installed on new or used helicopters, says a source from IAI, which is higlighting its experience as an engineering house and systems integrator. Helicopter pilots with specific experience in performing naval missions have been involved in the design and integration processes for Skimmer, the source adds.

Israel's navy currently operates Eurocopter AS565 Atalef helicopters from the decks of its Saar-5-class missile corvettes.