Far-Reaching, Stealthy and Surprising
The long-serving heavy transport aircraft of the IAF, the C-130 Hercules ("Karnaf") is undergoing a process of upgrading and modification, and will be known henceforth as the "Avionics Karnaf." A special visit to the IAF's 131st Squadron provides a glimpse into the heavy transporters following their facelift
Dan Arkin
| 22/06/2018
An IAF C-130 Hercules (Photo: IDF)
Both stand side by side on the runway at Nevatim airbase. Both are C-130 Hercules heavy transport aircraft (IAF designation "Karnaf") flown by the veteran 131st Transport Squadron, known as the "Knights of the Yellow Bird."
But there is a huge difference between the two aircraft, which appear to be identical. Both carry a camouflage paint scheme and are fitted with four Rolls-Royce engines. One is an old Karnaf, of the type the IDF has been using for more than 40 years – an analog Karnaf. The one next to it is a Karnaf that has undergone a process of upgrading and modification, out of which it emerged as a new aircraft – an Avionics Karnaf.
The young pilot, Lt. Omer, climbs with us into the tight cockpits of both aircraft and points out the differences: the analog aircraft has an instrument panel with numerous gauges, dials, and switches. It is not a simple undertaking memorizing the vital check procedure of such a 'crowded' instrument panel.
The Avionics version, on the other hand, is fitted with a 21st-century "Glass Cockpit": six full-color electronic displays (four flight data displays and two specialized IAF C3 and mission management monitors), a modern joystick that is comfortable to hold and manipulate and an autopilot feature. The primary innovation in the modern cockpit is the HUD (Head-Up Display) feature – a transparent display panel positioned right in front of the pilots' eyes, displaying the primary flight data throughout the flight, so that both pilots can keep their heads up, look out and no longer have to look down at the instrument panel.
This is a highly significant advantage for the air crew of a military transport aircraft, where the pilots are often required to fly very low, take off and land using short runways, drop troopers and equipment by parachute, refuel other aircraft and receive fuel from other refueling aircraft in mid-air, and generally fly a heavy platform while maintaining contact with the ground.
Other new features of the Avionics Karnaf: a new, high-performance Radar system, a FLIR system (mainly for night flights), various sensors and a special display feature: the indicators automatically change to a bright red color when a problem is encountered.
The essence of all these new features: the analog interface has been digitized. Several companies, in Israel and overseas, are responsible for this complex process. Elbit Systems is the chief integrator, IAI is the upgrading sub-contractor and Rafael, as well as such US giants as Rockwell Collins and Grumman, are involved as well.
Special Operations "Over Here and Over There"
Lt. Noam is the first pilot of the 131st Squadron who begins his service term with the Squadron by directly flying the new, modernized Avionics Karnaf aircraft. He will no longer fly the outdated analog Karnaf, nor will his young fellow pilots who currently begin their service term with the Squadron and the veteran reservist pilots, who will go through a learning, training and instruction period until they qualify and attain operational competence on the Avionics Karnaf, which the Squadron commanders regard as a new aircraft to all intents and purposes. Lt. Ofer provides a concise summary of his impressions and feelings having flown the new Avionics Karnaf – "It is one crazy aircraft!"
The crew of the Karnaf aircraft consists of five specialists: the captain, the co-pilot, the navigator, the machinist (flight engineer) and the loadmaster. The captain is the aircraft commander. Both pilots fly the aircraft. The navigator operates the navigation and C3 systems, receives operational and mission-related information and directs the mission. The machinist (flight engineer) is the aircrew member who manages the electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems. The loadmaster's position is in the cargo hold, and he is responsible for the loading, cargo management, and tie-down processes, for parachute dropping and airborne resupplying. The IAF loadmasters have recently been recognized as 'point' warfighters.
All occupational skills associated with the Karnaf aircraft of the 131st Squadron are respectably represented by members of the female gender: there are female pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and – naturally – many female specialists in the technical section.
The IAF 131st Squadron has a long heritage intertwined with the history of the IAF's heavy transport operations. The Squadron was originally established after the Yom-Kippur War, on October 14, 1974. Back then, Israel received a gift from the USA in the form of twelve C-130 transporters that had been in use during the Vietnam War, and along with two new C-130 aircraft purchased in the USA, the new squadron was established.
Over the years, the Squadron penned some illustrious chapters in the IAF's history, which is being taught to the young airmen of today. Some of the milestones of that heritage are proudly displayed on the walls of the squadron building at Nevatim airbase, in the form of a permanent exhibition made up of dozens of old and new photographs: the four Karnaf transporters that carried the IDF commandos to Entebbe, Uganda with squadron commander Shiki Shani as the captain of the lead aircraft, the ferrying of the Jews of Ethiopia to Israel during the operations in Sudan (Operation Moshe and Operation Shlomo, both of which were covert, complex and extremely dangerous operations), airborne resupply operations during the Second Lebanon War, flights in the context of humanitarian missions to Turkey, Rwanda, Armenia and Greece, the dropping of 300,000 leaflets over Tyre and Sidon in Lebanon and other milestones.
One event has accompanied the Squadron as a severely traumatic experience: on November 25, 1975, Karnaf aircraft No.203 crashed into the mountainside of Jebel Hilal in the Sinai. Eleven troopers and nine IAF aircrew men were killed in that disaster. The two Karnaf aircraft were flying back from a training exercise in the Sinai. As a result of a navigational error, the lead aircraft, while flying inside the clouds, crashed into the mountainside. The other aircraft climbed quickly and returned to base safely.
The commander of the IAF 131st Squadron, Lt. Col. A., opens his interview with Israel Defense – of all things – by referring to that tragedy: "That disaster in the Sinai has accompanied the Squadron to this day. The way we fly today is based on the lessons derived from that severe accident, on the conclusions of the commission of inquiry. Our doctrine today includes lessons derived from the accident in Jebel Hilal, and that is the way it should be. It is a fact that less than a year after that accident, four Karnaf transporters of the Squadron departed for Entebbe in the context of an extremely complex and dangerous military operation. The operation was concluded with complete success with regard to the planning, execution accuracy, navigation, flying and transporting the troops."
About ten years ago, the Squadron relocated to Nevatim airbase – IAF Airbase 28. The squadron commander is very proud of the modern southern airbase, the excellent infrastructures, the runway he regards as "the best in the Middle East," and the proximity to the training zones. Lt. Col. A. is married and has two children. He has commanded the Squadron for two years. Although he served in other command and staff positions (for example, as Head of the Collection Branch within the IAF Intelligence Group), he had spent most of his career as a pilot in the cockpits of Karnaf aircraft.
He lists the missions and capabilities a Karnaf squadron is required to perform and possess: day and night flights, taking off and landing on short runways (paved and unpaved), transporting various cargo types (dozens of combat troopers with their equipment or an APC), dropping various loads by parachute, resupplying deployed troops, launching flares, reconnaissance and search and rescue missions, like searching for a man at sea, spotting him and dropping a dinghy for him. The Squadron's transport aircraft can refuel CH-53 Sea Stallion (IAF designation "Yas'ur") helicopters, thereby extending the IDF's long heliborne arm. The Karnaf transporters can be refueled by Boeing-707 airborne refueling tankers (IAF designation "Re'em") using the boom method. This airborne refueling capability significantly and operationally extends the IAF's long-range transport arm.
The squadron commander added the following to the above list: "Our operational roster includes some special operations, like flying the Prime Minister and his entourage on a tour of African states, which included a visit to Entebbe, taking part in aerial exercises in Europe and the USA and flying the IDF Commando Brigade to Cyprus. We do a lot of flying, we have many training flights, including orientation flights on the Avionics Karnaf, training of young pilots and refresher training for veteran reservist pilots. In addition to all of that, there are numerous missions, flights and sorties to various distant destinations, including destinations that cannot be named, 'Red' flights outside of Israeli territory."
"We fly very often through the international medium," says Lt. Col. A., and explains that when an IAF Karnaf aircraft departs on an international flight, it conforms to civil aviation rules. A flight plan is filed with the air traffic control authorities, the pilots use the language and terminology of international aviation, they communicate with regional control centers and local control towers, the aircraft is assigned a call sign just like any other aircraft and the transponder emits the standard signal just like any fully-identified, fully-declared civilian flight. Our identification code for international flights is India-Alpha-Fox – the phonetic spelling of the acronym IAF, which stands for Israeli Air Force.
"We have developed a New Aircraft"
The turning point in the Squadron's history occurred in 2013 when the decision was made to upgrade the old Karnaf aircraft, and about three years ago the process of assimilating the modified Avionics Karnaf aircraft began. The old, analog Karnaf aircraft, known as 'C' will be phased out, and the Squadron will gradually change to the modified Avionics Karnaf aircraft.
The Squadron commanders describe the phases and processes of assimilating the new aircraft: at present, three Avionics Karnaf aircraft are already in service. In the future, many more will be flying. The new navigation system, the autopilot feature, the Head-Up Display that allows the pilots to keep their heads up, the moving map – a precious feature for operational flights, all of these capabilities enable more accurate and safer flying and expand the operational envelope of the Karnaf aircraft. The digital equipment provides the crew with enhanced situational awareness and enables the pilots to focus on the mission at hand while the systems do most of the flying work.
The squadron commander told us: "In fact, we have developed a new aircraft here – rather than purchasing an aircraft off the shelf. This Karnaf aircraft requires a new aircraft manual, and we at the Squadron are writing that manual. The Squadron requires a new doctrine – and we are developing that, too. All of the flight stages are different than those we had used before: from the preparations for the sortie to the option of using the autopilot."
About three years ago, the first prototype of the Avionics Karnaf, the Block-1 version, was delivered. It was flown jointly by the pilots of the IAF Flight Test Center (MANAT) and the pilots of the Squadron while maintaining close cooperation with the engineers of the Elbit Systems Company who monitored the trials and made adjustments and improvements. During the subsequent stages of the process, the missions of each aircrew members were redefined, an operational evaluation was carried out and formulated, and the various aspects of airborne refueling were examined.
In addition to the digitization process, the Karnaf aircraft undergo an improvement/upgrading process that includes the installation of an autopilot system as well as a comprehensive project involving the replacement and reinforcement of the main wing structure – the part that holds the wings of the aircraft. The upgrading process is carried out at two different lines – one part is carried out at the depot level line of Nevatim airbase, and the other part, which involves the replacement of the structural wing elements, is carried out at IAI. Two platforms are upgraded at the same time.
As the process of establishing the Avionics Karnaf squadron is still on-going, the organizational structure of the 131st Squadron has been changed, compared to that of other squadrons: it includes an establishment section, and instead of the usual two deputy squadron commanders, the 131st Squadron has four deputy commanders: two 'A' deputies and two 'B' deputies, with one deputy in every pair in charge of the establishment and conversion and the other in charge of current squadron operations. Additionally, the Squadron's command structure includes a flight section commander and a loadmaster section commander.
The Squadron introduced a specialized process for converting aircrews to the Avionics Karnaf aircraft: six weeks of basic conversion, including one week of ground training and 23 actual sorties, followed by two weeks of advanced training (low-level flights) regarded as approaching the flight envelope. After six months, the pilot will be regarded as operationally competent to fly the Avionics Karnaf. At the Squadron they emphasize that even veteran reservist pilots who have been flying civilian passenger aircraft all their lives, like reservist El-Al pilots, for example, must undergo the training process on the Avionics Karnaf. Veteran reservist pilots are familiar with the old, analog Karnaf aircraft that they have been flying for many years. When they enter the cockpit of the Avionics Karnaf, they will see something that is similar to what they are used to seeing in the cockpit of an advanced digital Boeing aircraft – but also very different. Within a few years, the Squadron at Nevatim airbase will assimilate a dedicated simulator for the new aircraft, which would make the instruction and training process easier and save costly flight hours.
Shimshon – the Younger Brother
The younger, black-painted brothers of the Karnaf aircraft – the C-130J Super Hercules transporters (IAF designation "Shimshon") stand alongside the Karnaf aircraft on the runway at Nevatim airbase. This is the newest and most advanced aircraft of the IAF's heavy transport fleet. It is longer than the Karnaf and capable of carrying a more substantial cargo.
Lt. Col. A. told us about how the workload is divided between the Karnaf and Shimshon aircraft: "We divided the workload so that each aircraft type may focus on specific missions. The Shimshon aircraft will drop the paratroopers on Independence Day. The Shimshon aircraft will focus on airborne resupply and transport missions. The Karnaf aircraft will focus on airborne refueling, as the Shimshon aircraft does not have airborne refueling capabilities. Each aircraft type has its own unique capabilities. The Shimshon, for example, is better at flying large-volume cargos, while the Karnaf is better at flying extremely heavy loads. The engines of the Shimshon are more powerful than those of the Karnaf, but the HUD system we have is superior to that of the Shimshon aircraft. The Karnaf aircraft are fitted with a Jet-Assisted Take-Off (JATO) system (rockets) which improves their ability to take off from short runways or while carrying extremely heavy loads. There is a balance and a proper division of the workload between the two aircraft types, which are parked adjacent to one another at Nevatim airbase – neighboring squadrons."
The commander of the 131st Squadron notices an important change in the IAF: in about five years' time, the transport fleet will consist of new and modern aircraft: Shimshon, Avionics Karnaf, a new airborne refueling tanker by Boeing that will probably replace the old Boeing-707 (IAF designation "Re'em") platforms, and the IAF will also fly cutting-edge ISTAR and EW aircraft.
When the process of converting all of the old Karnaf aircraft to the avionics version has been completed, the Karnaf squadron will focus on a unique specialized mission: special operations and flying of specialist units. "We can state that the new Karnaf has been built according to the needs of the IAF, and as far as our heavy transport operations are concerned, it definitely makes our dreams come true. The ability to fly high-volume cargos to distant destinations is the core of our operations – destinations that cannot be named. We will be far-reaching, stealthy, and surprising."
The long-serving heavy transport aircraft of the IAF, the C-130 Hercules ("Karnaf") is undergoing a process of upgrading and modification, and will be known henceforth as the "Avionics Karnaf." A special visit to the IAF's 131st Squadron provides a glimpse into the heavy transporters following their facelift
An IAF C-130 Hercules (Photo: IDF)
Both stand side by side on the runway at Nevatim airbase. Both are C-130 Hercules heavy transport aircraft (IAF designation "Karnaf") flown by the veteran 131st Transport Squadron, known as the "Knights of the Yellow Bird."
But there is a huge difference between the two aircraft, which appear to be identical. Both carry a camouflage paint scheme and are fitted with four Rolls-Royce engines. One is an old Karnaf, of the type the IDF has been using for more than 40 years – an analog Karnaf. The one next to it is a Karnaf that has undergone a process of upgrading and modification, out of which it emerged as a new aircraft – an Avionics Karnaf.
The young pilot, Lt. Omer, climbs with us into the tight cockpits of both aircraft and points out the differences: the analog aircraft has an instrument panel with numerous gauges, dials, and switches. It is not a simple undertaking memorizing the vital check procedure of such a 'crowded' instrument panel.
The Avionics version, on the other hand, is fitted with a 21st-century "Glass Cockpit": six full-color electronic displays (four flight data displays and two specialized IAF C3 and mission management monitors), a modern joystick that is comfortable to hold and manipulate and an autopilot feature. The primary innovation in the modern cockpit is the HUD (Head-Up Display) feature – a transparent display panel positioned right in front of the pilots' eyes, displaying the primary flight data throughout the flight, so that both pilots can keep their heads up, look out and no longer have to look down at the instrument panel.
This is a highly significant advantage for the air crew of a military transport aircraft, where the pilots are often required to fly very low, take off and land using short runways, drop troopers and equipment by parachute, refuel other aircraft and receive fuel from other refueling aircraft in mid-air, and generally fly a heavy platform while maintaining contact with the ground.
Other new features of the Avionics Karnaf: a new, high-performance Radar system, a FLIR system (mainly for night flights), various sensors and a special display feature: the indicators automatically change to a bright red color when a problem is encountered.
The essence of all these new features: the analog interface has been digitized. Several companies, in Israel and overseas, are responsible for this complex process. Elbit Systems is the chief integrator, IAI is the upgrading sub-contractor and Rafael, as well as such US giants as Rockwell Collins and Grumman, are involved as well.
Special Operations "Over Here and Over There"
Lt. Noam is the first pilot of the 131st Squadron who begins his service term with the Squadron by directly flying the new, modernized Avionics Karnaf aircraft. He will no longer fly the outdated analog Karnaf, nor will his young fellow pilots who currently begin their service term with the Squadron and the veteran reservist pilots, who will go through a learning, training and instruction period until they qualify and attain operational competence on the Avionics Karnaf, which the Squadron commanders regard as a new aircraft to all intents and purposes. Lt. Ofer provides a concise summary of his impressions and feelings having flown the new Avionics Karnaf – "It is one crazy aircraft!"
The crew of the Karnaf aircraft consists of five specialists: the captain, the co-pilot, the navigator, the machinist (flight engineer) and the loadmaster. The captain is the aircraft commander. Both pilots fly the aircraft. The navigator operates the navigation and C3 systems, receives operational and mission-related information and directs the mission. The machinist (flight engineer) is the aircrew member who manages the electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems. The loadmaster's position is in the cargo hold, and he is responsible for the loading, cargo management, and tie-down processes, for parachute dropping and airborne resupplying. The IAF loadmasters have recently been recognized as 'point' warfighters.
All occupational skills associated with the Karnaf aircraft of the 131st Squadron are respectably represented by members of the female gender: there are female pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and – naturally – many female specialists in the technical section.
The IAF 131st Squadron has a long heritage intertwined with the history of the IAF's heavy transport operations. The Squadron was originally established after the Yom-Kippur War, on October 14, 1974. Back then, Israel received a gift from the USA in the form of twelve C-130 transporters that had been in use during the Vietnam War, and along with two new C-130 aircraft purchased in the USA, the new squadron was established.
Over the years, the Squadron penned some illustrious chapters in the IAF's history, which is being taught to the young airmen of today. Some of the milestones of that heritage are proudly displayed on the walls of the squadron building at Nevatim airbase, in the form of a permanent exhibition made up of dozens of old and new photographs: the four Karnaf transporters that carried the IDF commandos to Entebbe, Uganda with squadron commander Shiki Shani as the captain of the lead aircraft, the ferrying of the Jews of Ethiopia to Israel during the operations in Sudan (Operation Moshe and Operation Shlomo, both of which were covert, complex and extremely dangerous operations), airborne resupply operations during the Second Lebanon War, flights in the context of humanitarian missions to Turkey, Rwanda, Armenia and Greece, the dropping of 300,000 leaflets over Tyre and Sidon in Lebanon and other milestones.
One event has accompanied the Squadron as a severely traumatic experience: on November 25, 1975, Karnaf aircraft No.203 crashed into the mountainside of Jebel Hilal in the Sinai. Eleven troopers and nine IAF aircrew men were killed in that disaster. The two Karnaf aircraft were flying back from a training exercise in the Sinai. As a result of a navigational error, the lead aircraft, while flying inside the clouds, crashed into the mountainside. The other aircraft climbed quickly and returned to base safely.
The commander of the IAF 131st Squadron, Lt. Col. A., opens his interview with Israel Defense – of all things – by referring to that tragedy: "That disaster in the Sinai has accompanied the Squadron to this day. The way we fly today is based on the lessons derived from that severe accident, on the conclusions of the commission of inquiry. Our doctrine today includes lessons derived from the accident in Jebel Hilal, and that is the way it should be. It is a fact that less than a year after that accident, four Karnaf transporters of the Squadron departed for Entebbe in the context of an extremely complex and dangerous military operation. The operation was concluded with complete success with regard to the planning, execution accuracy, navigation, flying and transporting the troops."
About ten years ago, the Squadron relocated to Nevatim airbase – IAF Airbase 28. The squadron commander is very proud of the modern southern airbase, the excellent infrastructures, the runway he regards as "the best in the Middle East," and the proximity to the training zones. Lt. Col. A. is married and has two children. He has commanded the Squadron for two years. Although he served in other command and staff positions (for example, as Head of the Collection Branch within the IAF Intelligence Group), he had spent most of his career as a pilot in the cockpits of Karnaf aircraft.
He lists the missions and capabilities a Karnaf squadron is required to perform and possess: day and night flights, taking off and landing on short runways (paved and unpaved), transporting various cargo types (dozens of combat troopers with their equipment or an APC), dropping various loads by parachute, resupplying deployed troops, launching flares, reconnaissance and search and rescue missions, like searching for a man at sea, spotting him and dropping a dinghy for him. The Squadron's transport aircraft can refuel CH-53 Sea Stallion (IAF designation "Yas'ur") helicopters, thereby extending the IDF's long heliborne arm. The Karnaf transporters can be refueled by Boeing-707 airborne refueling tankers (IAF designation "Re'em") using the boom method. This airborne refueling capability significantly and operationally extends the IAF's long-range transport arm.
The squadron commander added the following to the above list: "Our operational roster includes some special operations, like flying the Prime Minister and his entourage on a tour of African states, which included a visit to Entebbe, taking part in aerial exercises in Europe and the USA and flying the IDF Commando Brigade to Cyprus. We do a lot of flying, we have many training flights, including orientation flights on the Avionics Karnaf, training of young pilots and refresher training for veteran reservist pilots. In addition to all of that, there are numerous missions, flights and sorties to various distant destinations, including destinations that cannot be named, 'Red' flights outside of Israeli territory."
"We fly very often through the international medium," says Lt. Col. A., and explains that when an IAF Karnaf aircraft departs on an international flight, it conforms to civil aviation rules. A flight plan is filed with the air traffic control authorities, the pilots use the language and terminology of international aviation, they communicate with regional control centers and local control towers, the aircraft is assigned a call sign just like any other aircraft and the transponder emits the standard signal just like any fully-identified, fully-declared civilian flight. Our identification code for international flights is India-Alpha-Fox – the phonetic spelling of the acronym IAF, which stands for Israeli Air Force.
"We have developed a New Aircraft"
The turning point in the Squadron's history occurred in 2013 when the decision was made to upgrade the old Karnaf aircraft, and about three years ago the process of assimilating the modified Avionics Karnaf aircraft began. The old, analog Karnaf aircraft, known as 'C' will be phased out, and the Squadron will gradually change to the modified Avionics Karnaf aircraft.
The Squadron commanders describe the phases and processes of assimilating the new aircraft: at present, three Avionics Karnaf aircraft are already in service. In the future, many more will be flying. The new navigation system, the autopilot feature, the Head-Up Display that allows the pilots to keep their heads up, the moving map – a precious feature for operational flights, all of these capabilities enable more accurate and safer flying and expand the operational envelope of the Karnaf aircraft. The digital equipment provides the crew with enhanced situational awareness and enables the pilots to focus on the mission at hand while the systems do most of the flying work.
The squadron commander told us: "In fact, we have developed a new aircraft here – rather than purchasing an aircraft off the shelf. This Karnaf aircraft requires a new aircraft manual, and we at the Squadron are writing that manual. The Squadron requires a new doctrine – and we are developing that, too. All of the flight stages are different than those we had used before: from the preparations for the sortie to the option of using the autopilot."
About three years ago, the first prototype of the Avionics Karnaf, the Block-1 version, was delivered. It was flown jointly by the pilots of the IAF Flight Test Center (MANAT) and the pilots of the Squadron while maintaining close cooperation with the engineers of the Elbit Systems Company who monitored the trials and made adjustments and improvements. During the subsequent stages of the process, the missions of each aircrew members were redefined, an operational evaluation was carried out and formulated, and the various aspects of airborne refueling were examined.
In addition to the digitization process, the Karnaf aircraft undergo an improvement/upgrading process that includes the installation of an autopilot system as well as a comprehensive project involving the replacement and reinforcement of the main wing structure – the part that holds the wings of the aircraft. The upgrading process is carried out at two different lines – one part is carried out at the depot level line of Nevatim airbase, and the other part, which involves the replacement of the structural wing elements, is carried out at IAI. Two platforms are upgraded at the same time.
As the process of establishing the Avionics Karnaf squadron is still on-going, the organizational structure of the 131st Squadron has been changed, compared to that of other squadrons: it includes an establishment section, and instead of the usual two deputy squadron commanders, the 131st Squadron has four deputy commanders: two 'A' deputies and two 'B' deputies, with one deputy in every pair in charge of the establishment and conversion and the other in charge of current squadron operations. Additionally, the Squadron's command structure includes a flight section commander and a loadmaster section commander.
The Squadron introduced a specialized process for converting aircrews to the Avionics Karnaf aircraft: six weeks of basic conversion, including one week of ground training and 23 actual sorties, followed by two weeks of advanced training (low-level flights) regarded as approaching the flight envelope. After six months, the pilot will be regarded as operationally competent to fly the Avionics Karnaf. At the Squadron they emphasize that even veteran reservist pilots who have been flying civilian passenger aircraft all their lives, like reservist El-Al pilots, for example, must undergo the training process on the Avionics Karnaf. Veteran reservist pilots are familiar with the old, analog Karnaf aircraft that they have been flying for many years. When they enter the cockpit of the Avionics Karnaf, they will see something that is similar to what they are used to seeing in the cockpit of an advanced digital Boeing aircraft – but also very different. Within a few years, the Squadron at Nevatim airbase will assimilate a dedicated simulator for the new aircraft, which would make the instruction and training process easier and save costly flight hours.
Shimshon – the Younger Brother
The younger, black-painted brothers of the Karnaf aircraft – the C-130J Super Hercules transporters (IAF designation "Shimshon") stand alongside the Karnaf aircraft on the runway at Nevatim airbase. This is the newest and most advanced aircraft of the IAF's heavy transport fleet. It is longer than the Karnaf and capable of carrying a more substantial cargo.
Lt. Col. A. told us about how the workload is divided between the Karnaf and Shimshon aircraft: "We divided the workload so that each aircraft type may focus on specific missions. The Shimshon aircraft will drop the paratroopers on Independence Day. The Shimshon aircraft will focus on airborne resupply and transport missions. The Karnaf aircraft will focus on airborne refueling, as the Shimshon aircraft does not have airborne refueling capabilities. Each aircraft type has its own unique capabilities. The Shimshon, for example, is better at flying large-volume cargos, while the Karnaf is better at flying extremely heavy loads. The engines of the Shimshon are more powerful than those of the Karnaf, but the HUD system we have is superior to that of the Shimshon aircraft. The Karnaf aircraft are fitted with a Jet-Assisted Take-Off (JATO) system (rockets) which improves their ability to take off from short runways or while carrying extremely heavy loads. There is a balance and a proper division of the workload between the two aircraft types, which are parked adjacent to one another at Nevatim airbase – neighboring squadrons."
The commander of the 131st Squadron notices an important change in the IAF: in about five years' time, the transport fleet will consist of new and modern aircraft: Shimshon, Avionics Karnaf, a new airborne refueling tanker by Boeing that will probably replace the old Boeing-707 (IAF designation "Re'em") platforms, and the IAF will also fly cutting-edge ISTAR and EW aircraft.
When the process of converting all of the old Karnaf aircraft to the avionics version has been completed, the Karnaf squadron will focus on a unique specialized mission: special operations and flying of specialist units. "We can state that the new Karnaf has been built according to the needs of the IAF, and as far as our heavy transport operations are concerned, it definitely makes our dreams come true. The ability to fly high-volume cargos to distant destinations is the core of our operations – destinations that cannot be named. We will be far-reaching, stealthy, and surprising."
