Israel boosts CH-53 Yas'ur self-protection with new defense system

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World Defense & Security News - Israel
 
 
Israel boosts CH-53 Yas'ur self-protection with new defense system
 
An advanced missile defense system was installed on Israeli Air Force (IAF) CH-53 Yasur transport helicopters, the military confirmed last week. The Dragon Block 3 defense system provides 360° coverage against missile attacks and provide faster countermeasure service.
     
Israel boosts CH 53 Yas urself protection with new defense system 640 001A IAF CH-53 Yas'ur heavy-lift military helicopter 
(Credit: IAF)
     
"The block three 'Dragon' system is an active radar system that can provide the helicopters with 360 defenses and is very good at identifying various missiles", elaborated Capt. Sagiv Benishu, the leader of the project in the IAF's Material Directorate. "Among the main improvements in the new system, will be the ability to respond to a multitude of faster and more advanced threats and provide a better warning".

Launched in 2006, the air force's modernisation programme for the CH-53 "Yasur" is intended to keep the rotorcraft in service until at least 2025.

Their use in the IAF came under scrutiny in 2012, when two separate helicopters were forced to make emergency landings within a one-month span.

The S-65C-3 "Yas'ur" is an export version of the CH-53 heavy-lift helicopter especially designed for the Israel Air Force. Israel currently has 18 CH-53 2000 and 5 Yas'ur 2025 in service.