F-16 crashed • Watch: pilots are rescued

In the afternoon (Sunday) a F-16 plane 'Sufa' of the IAF base of Hatzerim in the Negev, crashed after a while at sea, off the coast of Gaza.

The pilot, a reservist, and navigator, regular force, reported that they are leaving the plane, plunged into the water and later were rescued by helicopter and 669 unit crew, in good condition and conscious.

The soldiers were at sea for about an hour, until they were rescued. They were evacuated by helicopter to the Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer Medical Center.

The IDF spokesman said: "Aircraft type Sufa (F16i coupe) crashed this afternoon in the sea after the engine shut down. Two air crews left the plane safely and were rescued by Air Force helicopters and rescue unit of the 669 Air Force."

Commander of the Air Force ordered stopping flights of Sufa and Raam until the preliminary pending completion of the circumstances of the accident, and an investigation into the matter.

A senior Air Force indicated that it was probably a technical failure that caused the crash engine. Multiple planes trained in the area. Air Force notes that since the engine type in question was received in 1998, a similar incident never occurred.

Sufa aircraft: faced with the most advanced threats

The first Sufa aircraft landed in Israel in February 2004 and were absorbed by the IAF. Since then they have participated in great operations. The various components of the Sufa airplane storm give him a big advantage over the veteran F-16.

One of the main advantages of the Sufa lies in the fuel tanks (CFT) installed in the airplane, which increase by 40 percent the amount of fuel it carries, giving him a greater flight range without compromising performance. Sufa engine installed in the aircraft engine is a F100-PW-229 made "Pratt & Whitney", a maximum thrust of 29,100 pounds, the same as the engine of Raam jet (F-15I).

Many of the systems installed in the aircraft Israeli-made systems are developed by the defense industry, the requirement Force - air, especially for the Sufa. The plane is equipped with the new radar capable of synthetic aperture, which allows detection of ground targets in all weather, day and night. It also has two redeem combination between them which is first of its kind: Food Lightning to locate targets and guide weapons and food Lantern to navigate. Cockpit has two large display multifunctional color screens.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!