'Smarter bombs' will allow Israel to hit Lebanon with impunity.Byline: Andrew WanderSummary: Israel is set to buy a "smart-bomb" system that will allow its pilots to strike Lebanese cities without leaving Israeli airspace, defense industry insiders from the Jewish state have said.AaMilitary acquisition chiefs in Israel are considering buying a bolt-on-kit that converts ordinary bombs into satellite-guided "smart" weapons. BEIRUT: Israel is set to buy a "smart-bomb" system that will allow its pilots to strike Lebanese cities without leaving Israeli airspace, defense industry insiders from the Jewish state have said.AaMilitary acquisition chiefs in Israel are considering buying a bolt-on-kit that converts ordinary bombs into satellite-guided "smart" weapons which can be launched up to 80 kilometers away from their target. This would bring vast swathes of Lebanese territory into range for Israeli bombers without them having to leave their own airspace. The news comes months after rumors For other uses, see Rumor (disambiguation). Rumors is a farcical play by Neil Simon. At its start, several affluent couples gather in the posh suburban residence of a couple for a dinner party celebrating their tenth anniversary. that Hizbullah has acquired advanced anti-aircraft capabilities prompted fears in Israel that one of their planes could be shot down. The system, known as JDAM-ER, is a conversion kit which contains a set of wings and a GPS system built into a specially designed tail section. The kit turns traditional free-fall bombs into guided weapons for a fraction of the cost of more advanced smart-bombs. The conversion kits are attractive to pilots because they offer a "fire and forget" capability, meaning that the once they leave their aircraft, their flight to the target is automatic. Some other guided weapons require the aircraft crew to "fly" the bomb to its destination.Aa Israel already uses a less advanced version of the kit which allows for the bombs to be released up to 20 kilometers from their target, but the upgrade will bring several major cities, including Beirut, into range. The JDAM-ER is still being tested, but trials carried out by the Australian Air Force have encouraged Boeing, the American arms manufacturer Noun 1. arms manufacturer - someone who manufactures arms and munitions producer, manufacturer - someone who manufactures something that is hoping to sell the upgrade to Israel. Boeing officials say the new weapon will be available from 2010. "This would provide Israel with unprecedented stand-off capabilities," an industry source told the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post. "Planes would not even have to leave Israeli airspace to be able to hit targets in Syria and Lebanon." Israel has used the standard version of the conversion kit since its introduction in 2000 and has recently modified all its F-15 fighter-bombers to accommodate the smart-bombs.Aa During the 2006 war, Israel used its entire stockpile stock·pile n. A supply stored for future use, usually carefully accrued and maintained. tr.v. stock·piled, stock·pil·ing, stock·piles To accumulate and maintain a supply of for future use. of the weapons in Lebanon, and received emergency shipments rushed from the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to replenish re·plen·ish v. re·plen·ished, re·plen·ish·ing, re·plen·ish·es v.tr. 1. To fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to: replenish the larder. 2. its supplies. During the conflict, Israel enjoyed total air supremacy That degree of air superiority wherein the opposing air force is incapable of effective interference. over Lebanese territory because Hizbullah did not have substantial anti-aircraft capabilities. But Israeli analysts believe that Hizbullah may have since strengthened its arsenal to include anti-aircraft missiles. Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah (Arabic: حسن نصرالله) (b. August 30 1960, Bourj Hammoud,[1] Beirut, Lebanon)[2] refused to confirm or deny the reports. "No one can expect me to stand up and say we possess new weapons or we don't," he said during a televised speech in August. Israel continually violates Lebanese airspace to carry out what it claims are reconnaissance  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. missions. Such overflights are in contravention A term of French law meaning an act violative of a law, a treaty, or an agreement made between parties; a breach of law punishable by a fine of fifteen francs or less and by an imprisonment of three days or less. In the U.S. of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, and have been condemned con·demn tr.v. con·demned, con·demn·ing, con·demns 1. To express strong disapproval of: condemned the needless waste of food. 2. by the UN. Copyright 2008, The Daily Star. All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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