IAI looks for supersonic collaborators

By Arie Egozi

Israel Aerospace Industries is evaluating a possible collaboration with other aerospace companies for the development of a supersonic business jet.

"We have a unique experience in designing supersonic aircraft gained in our defence programmes and we can use it in such a programme," says Gad Cohen, corporate vice-president and general manager of IAI's engineering and development group. IAI designed the Lavi fighter and reached the prototype phase before the programme was cancelled in 1987.

"We agree that this is the future step in business jets and we are looking around to see where we can do something to use our advantages," Cohen says, adding that the development of a supersonic business jet will involve a $2 billion investment and that the timeframe is "not less that 10 years from now".

IAI is manufacturing business jets that are being marketed as part of the Gulfstream line of products.