Ракеты LORA и EXTRA

[farman]

Израильские ракетчики по ошибке показали испытания телезрителям Ближнего Востока

Понаблюдать 4 и 5 ноября за ходом испытания новой израильской ракеты могли многие пользователи спутниковых телевизионных тарелок на Ближнем Востоке, сообщает сайт газеты Ha'aretz. В рамках испытания сотрудники Авиастроительного концерна Израиля, находившиеся в разных зданиях, обменивались друг с другом данными с помощью телевизионных сигналов.
Настроиться на частоту, на которой участники испытаний обменивались сведениями, сумел технический работник 10 телеканала Израиля Бен Давид. По его словам, сигнал с испытательного полигона он поймал с помощью обычной спутниковой тарелки диаметром 1 метр. Пользователями аналогичных тарелок являются десятки тысяч израильтян и миллионы жителей других стран Ближнего Востока.

Сканируя частоты, передаваемые израильским спутником "Амос", Давид увидел в прямом эфире необычное изображение. Происходившее на экране было очень похоже на работу участников запуска ракеты. По всей видимости, сигналы шли в двух направлениях, однако на одном из них применялось шифрование.

В течение последующих 48 часов 10 канал ТВ Израиля смог записать весь ход приготовлений к запуску ракеты, а потом и непосредственно ее испытания, которые проходили во вторник и среду над акваторией Средиземного моря. Испытуемая ракета должна была поразить учебную цель в течение трех минут, однако спустя две минуты после старта сбилась с курса и упала в воду.

"Это абсолютно несекретный проект. Мы проводим десятки ракетных испытаний. И что? Не бежать же нам всякий раз к журналистам. У нас даже нет заказчика для этой ракеты. Если бы это имело какое-то отношение к армии обороны Израиля, уверяю вас - все сигналы были бы зашифрованы", - прокомментировал ситуацию представитель Авиастроительного концерна Наор Зейдман.

Тем не менее, несмотря на заверения Зейдмана, представители оборонного ведомства оказали сильное давление на 10 канал, чтобы добиться запрета на показ отснятого материала. Кроме того, когда Давид обратился за комментариями в Авиастроительный концерн, этому предприятию было предписано немедленно прекратить работу внутренней телевизионной сети. Несмотря на всю "несекретность" проекта, военные потребовали, чтобы 10 канал прислал материал в министерство для одобрения. По словам Давида, армейские цензоры удалили значительные фрагменты записи, из которых можно было выяснить какие-либо технические сведения о ракете.

По факту открытой передачи сведений об испытаниях ракеты в Авиастроительном концерне начато расследование.

- http://www.lenta.ru/mideast/2003/11/06/secret/

Военное руководство Израиля изобразило стриптиз
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06.11 05:21 | MIGnews.com
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Руководство израильской авиационной промышленности, военное командование и главы спецслужб, а также иностранные гости, приглашенные наблюдать экспериментальный запуск ракеты средней дальности в среду утром, вовремя не осознали тот факт, что все детали их беседы, включая наименования секретных кодов и описания военных операций, были переданы в прямой эфир.

Беседу высшего военного руководства могли свободно слушать без всяческих купюр жители всех стран региона, в том числе Сирии, Ливии и Ирана. В среду ночью любой обладатель спутниковой "тарелки" мог видеть и слышать высших военных чинов Израиля, которые после утверждали, что никаких тайн ими раскрыто не было.

В дополнение к этой скандальной истории следует отметить, что сами испытания прошли успешно. и ракета может быть использована для поражения высокоточных целей, в частности, в Ираке.

 

[farman]

IAI missile test-launch recorded by Channel 10

 

[farman]

Ю.Штайниц предлагает разработать единные нормативы для установления степени секретности радиообмена

«Недопустимая оплошность» - так определил председатель комиссии по иностранным делам и обороне депутат Юваль Штайниц ведение участниками испытаний израильских ракет средней дальности некодированных переговоров.
Впрочем, как отметил Ю.Штайниц, данная ошибка не нанесла существенного ущерба обороноспособности государства, несмотря на предоставленную "вероятному противнику" возможность обширной пеленгации приказов высшего командования.
«Даже хорошие люди ошибаются», - добавил он.
В связи с произошедшим, депутат Ю.Штайниц предлагает выработать специальные нормативы для установления степени секретности радиообмена при проведении военных учений, испытаний и других подобных мероприятий.
Данное предложение вынесено на обсуждение подкомиссии Кнессета по обороне.

- http://www.cursorinfo.co.il/

 

[Gek]

В течение последующих 48 часов 10 канал ТВ Израиля смог записать весь ход приготовлений к запуску ракеты, а потом и непосредственно ее испытания, которые проходили во вторник и среду над акваторией Средиземного моря.

А сразу позвонить в соответствующие органы слабо было .

 

[Magnum]

Типичный пример журналистской "этики" - только что обсуждали.

 

[Elyco]

А сразу позвонить в соответствующие органы слабо было .

А с каких таких? Любому нормальному человеку и в голову прийти не может, что секретная информация не кодируется. Извините, она или не секретная, или кодируется.

 

[Gek]

А с каких таких? Любому нормальному человеку и в голову прийти не может, что секретная информация не кодируется. Извините, она или не секретная, или кодируется.

По всей видимости, сигналы шли в двух направлениях, однако на одном из них применялось шифрование.

 

[борис]

Я вот только не понял - ракета поразила цель, или усбилась с курса и упала в море? Или на одном канале (открытом) - сбилась, а на втором (закодированном, или наоборот) - поразила?

 

[Vadim]

IAI will continue Laura missile project

This is despite yesterday's failed test and the security breach that led to open broadcast of vital data.

Dror Marom 6 Nov 03

Sources inform “Globes” that Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will continue development of its Laura missile. A test launch of the missile failed yesterday.

Last night, Channel 10 revealed that the test, which was photographed by television cameras, was inadvertently broadcast on an international satellite network and received throughout the Middle East. The broadcast could be picked up by a simple satellite dish through a radius stretching from Iran to Libya. IAI's Malam plant is developing the missile.

The test was halted after 90 seconds, during which the missile flew until it went out of control and fell into the sea. The test was originally scheduled to last much longer. Similar breakdowns occurred during tests of the Arrow anti-ballistic missile missile, also developed by Malam.

The seriousness of the broadcast incident mainly lies in its exposure of precise details about the Laura missile and its capabilities, including the missile's dimensions, speed, range, and more. Testing methods and locations were also revealed. The test managers were also photographed and broadcast live as they discussed classified information, including access codes to computers at several defense contractors.

IAI managers today claimed that the test was not classified, but admitted that mistakes had occurred, including in the encryption of the broadcast, communications, and transcript, as well as in the missile test itself. IAI stated that the breakdown was "only in part of the broadcast lines", but admitted, "the test as a whole did not achieve its goals."

IAI and the Ministry of Defense are reportedly investigating a possible breach in the test's transmission lines and channels, and whether the breach was caused by human error or a technical fault.

Yehiel Horev is responsible for security in the defense establishment. He is investigating the breach and will have to give answers and conclusions. The defense establishment has not ruled out that possibility that someone will be found personally responsible for the serious breach.

The Ministry of Defense stated today, "The test was conducted as part of a marketing presentation, and was therefore unclassified, as were all the test documents. The fact that there was a satellite communications channel was a mistake that is under investigation. Classified tests do not use a satellite channel, but fully encrypted ones. Appropriate conclusions will be drawn."

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on November 6, 2003

Israel broadcasts secret weapons test by mistake

JERUSALEM, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Live from Israel: A secret long-range artillery test broadcast by mistake across the Middle East on an open satellite television channel.

Israel's Channel 10 television captured an unencrypted live feed from one weapons-testing control room to another that was bounced off Israel's Amos communications satellite this week.

The channel broadcast an edited version to viewers on its main evening news programme on Wednesday that showed technicians watching the launch and monitoring data-filled computer screens.

At one point, the camera showed two Israeli generals, including the deputy chief of staff, looking on.

"It was a serious lapse that should not have occurred," Yuval Shteinitz, chairman of parliament's foreign affairs and security committee, told Israel Radio on Thursday.

"Luckily, this mishap...did not involve highly classified systems or tests," he said about the Israel Aircraft Industries' launch of what it described in a statement as a long-range artillery shell.

Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, said the weapon was designed to hit targets 50 km (30 miles) away.

A Channel 10 technician, conducting what the station said was a routine scan of the Amos satellite's frequencies, monitored the feed with a small dish of the type used by home subscribers.

Israeli media reports said the satellite's "footprint" covers an area stretching from Iran to Libya.

Shteinitz said his committee would investigate the incident.

Secret Israeli missile test broadcast via civilian satellite

07.11.2003

By JUSTIN HUGGLER in Jerusalem

In an extraordinary and highly embarrassing blunder, a secret Israeli missile test attended by senior generals was broadcast live via a civilian satellite whose signals could be picked up with an ordinary household satellite dish, it has emerged.

The broadcast could be watched in countries across the region, from Libya to Iran, using a simple one-metre dish of the sort that comes with most satellite subscription services.

The incident, which the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth yesterday called "one of the most embarrassing fiascos ever to happen to the security establishment," was revealed after a technician working for Israel's Channel 10 television inadvertently tuned into the broadcast while conducting a routine scan of satellite frequencies.

The network recorded the footage, and broadcast parts of it on its nightly news.

The test was carried out by the arms manufacturer Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI), which described the missile in a statement as a "long-range and accurate artillery projectile".

IAI insisted the missile test had nothing to do with the Israeli army's defence systems. But three senior Israeli generals were present, including the deputy chief of staff, General Gabi Ashkenazi -- an IAI spokesman said it was routine to invite army commanders in the hope they would buy new missiles.

The incident is a major embarrassment to the Israeli security establishment, which is responsible for safeguarding information of this sort.

The Israeli Defence Ministry said that no classified information had been revealed in the broadcasts. But Channel 10 claimed sensitive information was inadvertently broadcast.

According to Israeli press reports yesterday, the military establishment pressured the station not to run the report, and insisted the final edit be submitted to Israel's military sensor, who ordered significant portions to be repressed.

The accidental broadcast came about after a camera was set up to film the missile launch control room. It is not clear why these pictures were broadcast unencrypted via a civilian satellite. But, as a result, what went out by satellite included not only pictures of the launch itself being relayed by a monitor, but also the people present in the control room, and their conversations.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that officials conducting the test, believing they were in a secure area, spoke openly about classified information including defence industry computer access codes, that could be heard on the broadcast.

After the Channel 10 technician accidentally picked up the broadcast, he telephoned the station's defence correspondent, who told him to monitor the frequency constantly.

Channel 10 recorded 48 hours of footage of the preparations and the two test launches, which took place over the Mediterranean sea on Tuesday and Wednesday. The missile failed, losing its course after two minutes and falling into the sea.

The Israeli defence establishment was insisting yesterday that the incident was only a minor mishap, and that the only details that were classified as "secret" were the dates of the tests and the direction of the launches.

But that has not been enough to calm the reaction in Israel. Amir Rappaport, writing in Ma'ariv yesterday commented: "The claims by the security establishment last night that the secrets that were broadcast were not 'terrible' will only harm its credibility. Whoever is acquainted with the details of the test knows that this exposure was a terrible fiasco".

- INDEPENDENT

 

[Elyco]

По всей видимости, сигналы шли в двух направлениях, однако на одном из них применялось шифрование.

Ну, а я о чем. Этот ваш инженер, он же не пытался дешифровать сигнал и пустить его в эфир. Скорее всего, он о нем и не догадывался. А вот открытый сигнал - он на то и открытый. А то, что какой-то "раздолбай" забыл/несмог/незахотел сигнал шифровать - так журналисты в этом не виноваты.

 

[Олег Грановский]

JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY
Date Posted: 07-Nov-2003

Classified Israeli missile test televised
ALON BEN-DAVID JDW Correspondent
Tel Aviv

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) conducted an unsuccessful test on 5 November of a new long-range guided missile developed by its MLM division.

In what appears to be a security blunder, a live picture of the test's control room was broadcast on an open satellite channel before and during the test, exposing all the system's specifications.

Few details were disclosed, however, about the new munition itself. Jane's Defence Weekly has learned it was a guided missile dubbed LORA - long-range artillery - as it is fired from a barrel. During the test, conducted in co-operation with the Israel Defence Force (IDF), the missile was launched from an Israel Navy platform in the eastern Mediterranean towards a distant target at sea. After two minutes of flight, control of the missile was lost and it crashed into the ocean. IAI's spokesperson said this was the second test of the missile, following a previous successful one.

"IAI was examining the feasibility of a new weapon system, initiated and funded solely by IAI," said the spokesperson. "We intend to continue testing, but the system has no client yet."

Israel's defence establishment was embarrassed when Israel's television Channel 10 presented video footage of the test's control room, picked up from a commercial satellite on an unencrypted channel. Channel 10 reported that for 48 hours a video feed of the land control room was broadcast via satellite throughout the Middle East. The video was received by a common satellite dish and required no decoding. It was broadcast on Israeli television with military censorship omitting technical specifications of the system and the test. The video showed a viewing room with the IDF's Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Gabi Ashkenazi along with Head of Ground Forces Command Maj Gen Iftah Ron-Tal and other persons whose identities were concealed by the censor. Channel 10's report stressed that in the original footage all the system's details were available, together with co-ordination procedures with the IDF's different platforms, which took part in the test.

A very senior defence source described the incident as "shocking and outrageous". IAI president Moshe Keret has appointed a special team to investigate how a classified test was broadcast on an open channel. Israel's Ministry of Defence said it was also investigating the incident.

 

[Vadim]

http://vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/6/co/733412.htm

Израиль испытал ракету дальнего радиуса действия

Представители компании Israel Aircraft Industries в понедельник заявили о том, что с одного из кораблей ВМС Израиля был успешно осуществлен запуск ракеты дальнего радиуса действия LORA, сообщает газета Jerusalem Post.
По классификации производителя это изделие проходит как артиллеристский снаряд, который выстреливается из корабельной пушки. Разработана LORA подразделением Israel Aircraft Industries, MLM Division, занимающимся проектированием ракет и снарядов. Как надеется производитель, на мировом рынке новое изделие займет нишу высокоточных артиллеристских снарядов. Для осуществления проекта LORA MLM пытается найти иностранного инвестора.

В прошлом году, во время аналогичных испытаний, из-за технической ошибки видеотрансляция неудачного старта и применявшиеся при этом секретные коды стали достоянием общественности. Ее могли видеть во многих странах мира, включая Сирию, Иран и Ливию.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/519945.cms

Israel developing missiles for India
IANS [WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2004 11]

WASHINGTON: Israel has begun work on developing for India two long-range artillery (LORA) missiles with a range of up to 300 km, a media report said.

Specifications for the missiles were submitted by Indian Army officials to scientists at the Lod-based Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), according to a report in Defense News, a leading defence industry publication.

India needs 36 LORA missile systems and the India-specific ones would be an extended range version of the missile initially developed by the IAI, the report said.

The current versions of the solid-fuel missile, now in testing, carry a 570-kg warhead less than 200 km, the report said.

Indian specifications for a longer-range version would require significant reductions in warhead size to comply with physical properties of the missile itself, as well as international restrictions governing the transfer or sale of missiles capable of delivering a 500-kg payload more than 300 km.

According to Defense News, a high-level team from the Indian Artillery Directorate visited Israel in November to witness the live firing demonstrations of the missile system.

The Indian Army will also fund development of the India-specific prototype but no financial details were disclosed.

The army will conduct up to 10 trials of the solid-fuelled missiles before placing a bulk order with IAI, the report said.

India had rejected the Russian Iskander-E missile system after a review that favoured the Israeli system.

The Indian Army currently has the indigenous Prithvi missile in its inventory.

This has a range of up to 150 km and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

It was confirmed that the India-specific missile would also have that capability, Defense News said.

 

[Олег Грановский]

По классификации производителя это изделие проходит как артиллеристский снаряд, который выстреливается из корабельной пушки.

Это неверно.

Ракеты РСЗО на английском называют "artillery rocket" (на русском есть термин "реактивная артиллерия", в отличии от "ствольной артиллерии"), отсюда и путаница.

 

[Олег Грановский]

Israel tests a new missile - on TV
Date Posted: 19-Dec-2003

A slip in security resulted in an Israeli missile test being screened live on satellite television. In early November 2003, an engineer employed by Israel's Channel 10 was able to monitor TV transmissions of a test control room and watch preparations for the missile test and then the launch itself, which took place on 5 November 2003.

The signal being monitored had come from an Israeli communications satellite. Reporting the launch, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz said that the missile, which was supposed to hit its target within three minutes, "went wild after two minutes and fell into the sea". The missile is reported to be designated 'Laura'.

The trial was apparently watched by high-level officials including Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Chief Executive Moshe Keret, Deputy Israel Defence Force Chief of Staff Gaby Ashkenazy, and Commander of Ground Forces, Major General Yiftah Ron Tal. However, Ha'aretz quoted a security officer at IAI, Naor Zeidman, as saying: "This is a completely unclassified project. We do dozens of missile tests. So what? You don't run to the media with every test."

In a statement released on 9 November, IAI said that its MLM Division had tested what it described as "a long-range artillery system" and that "the majority of the test objectives were achieved".

The system was an artillery rocket "indifferent to weather conditions" and "designed to hit targets situated deep within enemy lines". The rocket is 5.2m long and 62cm in diameter, and is stored in a canister and fired from a simple launcher. IAI says that its "level of accuracy is approximately 15m, and its range depends on the type of warhead".

Laura - это LORA.

 

[Vadim]

The Jerusalem Post
March 2, 2004, Tuesday
IAI successfully tests new shell
Arieh O'Sullivan

Without the glaring security breaches this time, Israel Aircraft Industries said Monday it successfully tested a special long-range artillery rocket from a navy vessel.

Known as LORA, the quiet test launch contrasted with last November's failed launch which had been inadvertently broadcast to the world, including Syria, Iran, and Libya.

Then, technicians at Channel 10 picked up the transmissions of the launch control room showing foreign guests, secret codes, and details of the system.

That incident severely embarrassed IAI and the army, whose generals were seen chatting with the foreign guests during the failed launch.

"We learned our lessons from that event and this time there was no security breach, as far as we know," said Doron Suslik, deputy vice president of corporate communications at IAI.

The test launch took place at 11 a.m. and lasted "for a number of minutes. It went according to the book," said Suslik. "The fly-out and performance were terrific."

Contrary to the November test, the launch was a low- keyed affair with mainly IAI engineers and technicians present.

Described as an artillery shell, industry sources said it is actually a missile intended to be fired from a cannon. IAI said the company's MLM Division, which produces missiles and rockets, is developing the LORA.

The missile/shell, they said, is expected to tap into a world market for highly accurate, long-range artillery shells to be used for high quality targets - a need seen in the war in Iraq.

This is a first step toward development to see if there is room for a feasibility study. MLM is trying to attract a foreign partner for joint development of the LORA.

IAI tests new naval missile
Security sources: The test was successful.
Felix Frisch 1 Mar 04 17:20

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) today tested its new naval missile, developed at its Malam plant.
The missile tested is a prototype of a short-range missile launched from an Israeli Navy ship, which remains airborne for a few minutes before hitting the target. Security sources said that the test was successful.

The IAI Malam division developed the missile in the hope of selling it to the Israel Defense Forces and other armed forces around the world. The test included firings against both air and sea targets.

Security sources said that no production line had yet been set up, and “only a technological demonstration is involved at this stage.”

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on March 1, 2004

 

[Elyco]

Американские шпионы сорвали испытание израильской ракеты
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08.03 09:12 | MIGnews.com
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1 марта ВВС Армии обороны Израиля намеревались провести испытание ракеты дальнего радиуса действия, для чего "арендовала" закрытое воздушное пространство над Средиземным морем. Однако, когда все было готово к проведению испытания, в воздушное пространство проникли американские самолеты-разведчики Р-3 и U-2. Из-за их продолжительного присутствия запуск ракеты пришлось отложить. Все попытки обратиться к американцам по этому поводу успеха не имели.

В Израиле считают, что это была попытка промышленного шпионажа. Один из представителей армии Израиля заявил: "военное сотрудничество между нашими странами существует и на более секретном уровне, однако этот инцидент несколько омрачил отношения. Мне трудно поверить, что американские самолеты находились там преднамеренно, однако как видимо так оно и было, – добавил он. – В таких обстоятельствах мы предпочли отложить проведение испытания, хоть это и обошлось нам в определенную сумму".

Речь идет о ракете со спутниковой системой наведения, которая может атаковать в том числе и движущуюся цель. Ракета весом в 1.230 килограмм оснащена боеголовкой, вес которой достигает 570 килограмм. Это совместная разработка компании МАЛАМ и ВВС Армии обороны Израиля. Из четырех проведенных запусков этой ракеты, три прошли успешно.

Информация о неудавшемся испытании появилась в американском журнале "Defence news". В то же время в американском посольстве, а также в пресс-службе ВВС Израиля и самой компании МАЛАМ прокомментировать это сообщения отказались.


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[doteq]

вот и оприходовали бы движущуюся цель в арендованном простарнстве...
а как со спутниковой разведкой себя вести на испытаниях подобного рода?

 

[Цефа]

Со спутниками как раз проще, расписание всех проходящих спутников известно и учитывается.

 

[Pooh]

А испытания таки провели, два дня спустя.

***********

http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/printthread.php?t=40348

 

[Vadim]

"Defense News": US spy planes delayed Israeli missile test

The test of IAI's Long Range Artillery missile was successfully held two days after US planes left the area.

Ran Dagoni, Washington 8 Mar 05 16:58

"Defense News" reports in its latest issue that the presence of US spy planes in the so-called safety zone above the Mediterranean Sea prompted Israeli officials to delay a test of the Long Range Artillery (LORA) missile. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) developed the LORA. The test was conducted successfully two days after the US planes left the area.

"Defense News" cites Israeli defense and industry sources as saying that the LORA scored a dead-on hit of a sea-based target some 200 kilometers from the launch site on Israel’s coast. The test marked the third success out of four attempts, and demonstrated a range more than double the roughly 80 kilometers achieved in earlier tests.

Developed by IAI's Malam division, the LORA is satellite-guided, solid-fueled, with a takeoff weight of about 1,230 kilograms, including a 570-kilogram warhead.

"Defense News" says the Indian Army is a likely customer for initial export sales.

"Defense News" says the test of the LORA is the second straight success after an embarrassing failure in November 2003, when carelessness in IAI’s restricted-access control room resulted in the inadvertent commercial satellite broadcast of video and voice recordings related to the launch. Prior to that unintended public debut, LORA had been classified as a sensitive development system for the Israel Navy and Ground Forces.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 8, 2005

Posted 03/07/05 09:23

After U.S.-Prompted Delay, Israel Tests Missile
By BARBARA OPALL-ROME, TEL AVIV

Israel successfully test-fired its Long Range Artillery (LORA) missile March 3, two days after the presence of U.S. spy planes in the so-called safety zone above the Mediterranean Sea prompted officials to delay the test.

In interviews here, Israeli defense and industry sources said the LORA scored a dead-on hit of a sea-based target some 200 kilometers from the launch site on Israel’s coast. The test marked the third success out of four attempts, and demonstrated a range more than double the roughly 80 kilometers achieved in earlier tests.

Similar in performance to the U.S.-produced Army Tactical Missile System and the U.S. Navy Standard missile, LORA is a deep-strike, satellite-guided, inertially navigated precision missile for use against stationary or semi-fixed targets. The missile is solid-fueled, with a takeoff weight of about 1,230 kilograms, including a 570-kilogram warhead, and is developed by the MLM Division of government-owned Israel Aircraft Industries.

“It was an excellent performance, and we’re all very proud … but we still don’t understand what the Americans were doing in that closed area that forced cancellation of the earlier test,” an Israeli defense official said.

According to the official, Israel’s Ministry of Defense secured permission from supervisory authorities for a three-hour closure of airspace and territorial waters on the morning of March 1. As MoD and industry technicians, accompanied by top brass from the Israel Navy, Ground Forces and Air Force, prepared for countdown to launch, a U.S. Navy P-3 maritime patrol aircraft entered the area and remained on station, prompting agitation in the launch control room.

The presence of the P-3, followed by the arrival of a high-flying U.S. Air Force U-2, triggered high-level dialogue between Israel’s defense establishment and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy.

“Requests were made repeatedly to get those planes to move from the area. Meanwhile, one 30-minute delay was followed by another 30-minute delay and then some more waiting until we got to the point where we had to shut down the test,” an Israeli source said.

In a March 3 interview, an Israeli military officer said he did not know why the U.S. military interfered in the test, but insisted that whatever the reason, it wasn’t worth straining the usually superb cooperation and coordination Israel enjoys with the Sixth Fleet.

“I told my people it was worth the added cost and aggravation, to just go ahead and reschedule the event,” the senior officer said. “I wouldn’t want to think this was done intentionally … There must have been a good reason for those aircraft to be there at that time.”

Another senior Israeli military official, however, suggested the U.S. spy planes were interested in capturing data on the test, and were not deployed in that specific area at that specific time for regional strategic intelligence-gathering missions.

“The Americans are curious. They wanted to watch,” the senior official said.

Paul Patin, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy here, declined comment on the matter. Similarly, IAI and Israel’s MoD declined to discuss the March 3 test or the previously scheduled March 1 launch.

The March 3 test of the LORA is the second straight success after an embarrassing failure in November 2003, when carelessness in IAI’s restricted-access control room resulted in the inadvertent commercial satellite broadcast of video and voice recordings related to the launch. Prior to that unintended public debut, LORA had been classified as a sensitive development system for the Israel Navy and Ground Forces, with the Indian Army a likely customer for initial export sales.

The Israel Air Force, which performs LORA’s intended mission with its own air-launched weaponry, has expressed concerns about spending money on what it views as redundant ground- and sea-launched capabilities.

“There are a lot of advantages in providing all our services with precision strike capabilities. The debate in this case is about proportion rather than need, given our limited resources,” according to an Israel Air Force official. •

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=699930&C=mideast