53-398: M117 may refer to: M117 bomb M-117 (Michigan highway) Mercedes-Benz M117 engine [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title formed as a letter–number combination. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
106-674: A civilian casualty ratio of 1:30, or one civilian casualty for every thirty combatant casualties, in its airstrikes on militants in the Palestinian territories . Alan Dershowitz noted that "No army in history has ever had a better ratio of combatants to civilians killed in a comparable setting". The IAF played a critical role in the 2006 Lebanon War . IAF strikes—mainly, though not exclusively, in southern Lebanon —were aimed at stopping rocket launches by Hezbollah 's militia targeting Israeli towns. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war. The most notable, taking place during
159-645: A loss of between 5 and 21 for the Israelis, on all fronts. No official numbers were released on the Arab side, though total Egyptian losses were between 235 and 242 aircraft. Syria lost between 135 and 179. Since the war, most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Among these are the F-4 Phantom II , A-4 Skyhawk , F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon . The Israeli Air Force has operated
212-509: A munitions factory south of Khartoum. The Israeli Air Force also operates surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units. Since 1990 their primary role has been the interception of surface-to-surface missiles and rockets fired into Israel. In 2011 the IAF began operating the ' Iron Dome ' anti-rocket missile system, which within a year had successfully intercepted and destroyed 93 rockets fired at Israeli towns from Gaza. In November 2012,
265-565: A number of domestically produced types such as the IAI Nesher , and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir , which were derivatives of the French Dassault Mirage 5 . The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful U.S. engine, produced under license in Israel. On July 4, 1976, four Israeli C-130 Hercules transport aircraft secretly flew to Entebbe Airport for a rescue operation . In March 1978,
318-724: The 2023 Israel–Hamas war , the Israeli Air Force released images and footage showing F-16Is armed with M117 bombs, with a description suggesting that M117 bombs were used in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip . The bombs appear to be unguided, as there are no visible GPS-guided JDAM kits or laser-guidance kits installed. Israeli Air Force The Israeli Air Force ( IAF ; Hebrew : זְרוֹעַ הָאֲוִיר וְהֶחָלָל , romanized : Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal , lit. 'tl', "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as חֵיל הָאֲוִיר , Kheil HaAvir , "Air Corps") operates as
371-519: The Gaza Strip . Seventeen trucks were bombed, and thirty-nine smugglers were killed in the strike. On April 5, 2011, a car driving from Port Sudan Airport to Port Sudan was destroyed by a missile. Both passengers were killed. one of whom may have been a senior Hamas military commander. The Sudanese Foreign Minister blamed the attack on Israel. Sudanese newspapers reported that Israeli aircraft attacked Gaza-bound arms convoys again in late 2011. On October 24, 2012, Sudan claimed that Israel had bombed
424-579: The Korean War of the early 1950s. Although it has a nominal weight of 750 pounds (340 kg) its actual weight, depending on fuze and retardation options, can be around 820 pounds (372 kg). The bomb's explosive content is typically 386 pounds (175 kg) of Tritonal or 377 pounds (171 kg) of Minol in the case of the M117A1E2 due to their higher density and detonation velocity compared to TNT. Demolition bombs rely on time delayed fuzes which allow
477-581: The Korean War . Israel Defence Forces had until 1995 denied women the opportunity to become pilots. In 1995, civilian pilot and aeronautical engineer Alice Miller successfully petitioned the Israel High Court of Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams, after being rejected on grounds of gender. The court in 1996 eventually ruled that the IAF could not exclude qualified women from pilot training. Even though Miller would not pass
530-624: The Suez Canal into Egypt. Israeli forces fanned north and south, destroying Egyptian rear units and punching holes through its air defence array. This allowed the IAF the freedom of action it was previously denied and renewed attacks led to the collapse of the Egyptian Air Defence Force . This prompted increased diplomatic activity to resolve the war, coupled with increased activity by the Egyptian Air Force. From about October 18 to
583-494: The Yom Kippur War broke out on October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian advances forced the IAF to abandon detailed plans for the destruction of enemy air defences . Forced to operate under the missile and anti-aircraft artillery threats, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive. Since that war most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from
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#1732852424350636-854: The aerial and space warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence . As of April 2022 , Aluf Tomer Bar has been serving as the Air Force commander. The Israeli Air Force was established using commandeered or donated civilian aircraft and obsolete and surplus World War II combat aircraft . Eventually, more aircraft were procured, including Boeing B-17s , Bristol Beaufighters , de Havilland Mosquitoes and P-51D Mustangs . The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh , Israel's part in
689-591: The 1950s through the early 1970s the M117 was a standard aircraft weapon, carried by the F-100 Super Sabre , F-104 Starfighter , F-105 Thunderchief , B-57 Canberra , F-111 , F-5 , A-1 Skyraider , A-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom . The M117 series was used extensively during the Vietnam War , and B-52G Stratofortress aircraft dropped 44,600 M117 and M117R bombs during Operation Desert Storm . The B-52 Stratofortress
742-668: The 1956 Suez Crisis , dropping paratroopers at the Mitla Pass . On June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War , the Israeli Air Force performed Operation Focus , debilitating the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war. Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the War of Attrition , and the Israeli Air Force performed repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory. When
795-461: The Egyptian advance from Gaza northwards. On May 30, after un-assembled planes were strafed on the ground at Ekron airfield , the fighters were moved to makeshift strip located around the current Herzliya Airport . The airfield was used as it was a bit back from the front-lines, and was clandestine since it was a purpose built strip, that was constructed after the beginning of hostilities, in between
848-642: The Hamas-held Gaza Strip. In December 2008, the IAF spearheaded Operation Cast Lead , carrying out more than 2,360 air strikes. It had a principal role in destroying Hamas targets, and killed several senior Hamas commanders, including Said Seyam , Nizar Rayan , Tawfik Jaber , and Abu Zakaria al-Jamal . According to a CBS news report, in January 2009 Israeli planes struck a convoy of trucks in Sudan headed for Egypt and carrying weapons apparently meant for
901-453: The IAF began preparing for a pre-emptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian airfields and anti-aircraft positions. The Israeli government decided against pre-emption. IAF aircraft were therefore in the process of re-armament to the air-to-air role when Yom Kippur War hostilities began at 14:00. The next morning began with Operation Tagar , a SEAD offensive against Egyptian air defences, beginning with strikes against Egyptian air bases. Tagar
954-536: The IAF carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19 , crippling the Syrian air defence array. In subsequent aerial battles against the Syrian Air Force , the IAF managed to shoot down 86 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air-to-air combat. IAF AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles and other ground targets, including some T-72 main battle tanks . In
1007-677: The IAF carried out Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1993 and 1996, the IAF participated in Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath , respectively. In the late 1990s, the IAF began acquiring the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) and the F-16I Sufa (Storm), manufactured specially for Israel according to IAF requirements. The first of 102 F-16I Sufas arrived in April 2004, joining an F-16 fleet that had already been
1060-467: The IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199s purchased from Czechoslovakia , essentially Czechoslovak -built Messerschmitt Bf 109s , and 60 Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IXEs, the first of which, "Israel 1", was locally assembled from British abandoned spare parts and a salvaged engine from an Egyptian Air Force Spitfire, with most of the rest purchased from Czechoslovakia. Israel's new fighter-arm first went into action on May 29, 1948, assisting efforts to halt
1113-583: The IAF participated in Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath , respectively. It has taken part in many operations since, including the 2006 Lebanon War , Operation Cast Lead , Operation Pillar of Cloud , Operation Protective Edge , Operation Guardian of the Walls and Operation Swords of Iron . On September 6, 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in Operation Orchard . The Israeli Air Force states
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#17328524243501166-705: The IAF participated in Operation Pillar of Defense , during which, according to the IDF Spokesperson , Israeli forces targeted more than 1,500 military sites in Gaza Strip, including rocket launching pads, smuggling tunnels, command centers, and weapons manufacturing and storage facilities. Many of these attacks were carried out by the Air Force. Between July 8 and August 5, 2014, the IAF participated in Operation Protective Edge , during which, according to
1219-621: The IAF was forced to operate under the SAM threat. Nevertheless, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive, first in the north and later in the south. After the failure of the Israeli counter-offensive in the Sinai on October 8, the southern front remained relatively static and the IAF focused its attention on the Syrian front. While A-4 Skyhawks provided much needed support to troops on
1272-455: The IAF's impressive performance in the Six-Day War, the Lyndon Johnson administration decided to sell F-4 Phantom fighters to Israel in 1968, marking the first sale of American military equipment to Israel. Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the War of Attrition , hoping to prevent Israel from consolidating its hold over the lands captured in 1967. Israel's goal in
1325-528: The IDF Spokesperson, Israeli forces targeted 4,762 terror sites across the Gaza Strip, including rocket launching sites, command and control centers, military administration facilities, weapons storage and manufacturing facilities and training and military compounds. In May 2021, Israeli artillery and air force carried out 1,500 strikes on Gaza during Operation Guardian of the Walls . Starting in October 2023,
1378-631: The Israeli Air Force carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19 , crippling Syrian air defences in Lebanon. On October 1, 1985, In response to a PLO terrorist attack which murdered three Israeli civilians in Cyprus , the Israeli air force carried out Operation Wooden Leg , bombing the PLO Headquarters in Tunis . In 1991, the IAF carried out Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1993 and 1996,
1431-474: The Israeli Air Force fulfilled a main role in the war against Hamas . The civil war raging within Israel's northern neighbor, has occasionally witnessed activity by the IAF, some overt, some unacknowledged and some merely attributed. Notable actions include: In the Israel–Gaza war beginning in October 2023, the IAF played a major role through its bombing of Gaza and subsequent support for ground troops in
1484-704: The Israeli Air Force participated in Operation Litani . On June 7, 1981, eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets carried out Operation Opera to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osiraq. Among the pilots who took part in the attack was Ilan Ramon , later Israel's first astronaut . Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War , Syria, with the help of the Soviet Union , had built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles in Lebanon 's Beqaa Valley . On June 9, 1982,
1537-546: The Israeli Navy in capturing the Egyptian Navy destroyer Ibrahim el Awal , which had bombarded the Israeli city of Haifa – an airstrike damaged the Egyptian ship's engines, enabling Israeli ships to reach it and capture it. In three hours on the morning of June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War , the Israeli Air Force executed Operation Focus , crippling the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for
1590-526: The Israelis. The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh , Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis . At the launch of the operation, on October 29, Israeli P-51D Mustangs , some using their propeller blades, severed telephone lines in the Sinai . 16 IAF DC-3s – escorted by fighters – dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur. The Israeli Air Force conducted attacks on Egyptian ground units and assisted
1643-518: The Syrians had been pushed back and beyond their initial lines, Damascus had come within range of Israeli artillery and an Iraqi armored brigade, the vanguard of its expeditionary force, was destroyed. On October 14 the Egyptian army launched an offensive along the entire front but was repulsed by the IDF . Israel followed on this success by attacking at the seam between the 2nd and 3rd Egyptian armies and crossing
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1696-480: The United States. Among these are the A-4 Skyhawk , F-4 Phantom II , F-15 Eagle , F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II . The Israeli Air Force has operated a number of domestically produced types such as the IAI Nesher , and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir . On June 7, 1981, eight IAF F-16s covered by six F-15s carried out Operation Opera to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osiraq. On June 9, 1982,
1749-586: The attacks. The Israeli Air Force took an extensive part in IDF operations during the al-Aqsa Intifada , including the controversial targeted killings of Palestinian terrorist leaders, most notably Salah Shakhade , Ahmed Yassin and Abed al-Aziz Rantissi . While this policy was criticized due to the collateral damage caused in certain instances, Israel claims it is vital in its fight against terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties, including aborting strikes. In 2007, Israel achieved
1802-460: The bomb to burrow into a building or other structure before detonating. The M117 can be configured with a conical low-drag tail for medium and high altitude deliveries or a high-drag tail fin for low-altitude drops, delaying the bombs hitting their targets ensuring bombers are out of the blast zone before detonation. The M117 was the basis for the BOLT-117 , the world's first laser-guided bomb . From
1855-516: The conflict. In the 2007 Operation Outside the Box , the Israeli Air Force attacked a suspected Syrian nuclear weapons site. The IAF used electronic warfare (EW) system to neutralize Syria's air defenses, feeding them a false sky-picture while IAF jets crossed much of Syria, bombed their targets and returned to Israel unchallenged. Since Hamas' takeover of Gaza in 2007, the Israeli Air Force has taken part in repeated bouts of violence between Israel and
1908-554: The decades since the war's official conclusion (including the conflict that followed ), the IAF has regularly conducted air strikes against targets in Southern Lebanon, namely Hezbollah positions. On October 1, 1985, the IAF carried out Operation Wooden Leg , which involved the bombing of the PLO Headquarters near Tunis . This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, traversing 2,300 kilometers. In 1991,
1961-514: The end of the war, intensive air battles took place between Israeli and Egyptian aircraft. Official Israeli Air Force losses of the Yom Kippur War were 102 aircraft, including 32 F-4 Phantoms, 53 A-4 Skyhawks, 11 Dassault Mirages, and 6 IAI Sa'ars , although other accounts suggest as many as 128 Israeli aircraft were lost. 91 air force personnel, of which 53 were airmen, were killed. 172 Egyptian aircraft were shot down in air-to-air combat, for
2014-413: The ensuing invasion of the Gaza Strip . Thirty nine Israeli pilots have been credited with ace status, having shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft. Of these, 10 have shot down at least eight jet planes. The top ranking Israeli ace is Colonel Giora Epstein , who shot down seventeen enemy planes. Epstein holds the world record for jet aircraft shot down, and the most aircraft of any type shot down since
2067-419: The exams, the ruling was a watershed, opening doors for women in new IDF roles. After the prohibition had been lifted, the first female graduate was F-16 navigator "Shari" in 1998, followed three years later by Roni Zuckerman , the first female jet fighter pilot in IAF history. IAF ranks are identical to other Israel Defense Forces ranks . The rank insignia are identical except for the use of silver against
2120-721: The fighting was to exact heavy losses on the opposing side, in order to facilitate a ceasefire. The Israeli Air Force undertook repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory and repeatedly challenged Arab air forces for aerial supremacy, while supporting operations by Israel's ground and naval forces. In late 1969 the Soviet Union began to deploy fighter aircraft units and surface-to-air missile units to Egypt. The Soviet surface-to-air missile units soon joined their Egyptian allies in direct confrontations with Israeli aircraft. Soviet fighters conducted patrols, but Israeli pilots were ordered not to engage them. On July 30, 1970,
2173-412: The following as its functions: The insignia / roundel of the Israeli Air Force consists of a blue Star of David on a white circle. Aircraft usually carry it painted in six positions – on the top and bottom of each wing, and on each side of the fuselage. A low-visibility variant – a blue Star of David without the white circle – exists, although its use is extremely rare. Squadron markings usually go on
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2226-480: The ground, at the cost of 31 aircraft by the end of fourth day of the war, IAF Phantoms repeatedly struck Syrian air fields. Following Syrian FROG-7 strikes on military and civilian targets in northern Israel, the IAF initiated a campaign to destroy the infrastructure on which Syria's war-making capacity depended, targeting strategic targets in Syria such as its oil industry and electricity generating system. By October 13
2279-462: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=M117&oldid=932973773 " Category : Letter–number combination disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages M117 bomb The M117 is an air-dropped demolition bomb used by United States military forces . The weapon dates back to
2332-529: The largest outside the US Air Force. The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile Rafael Python 5 , with full-sphere capability, as well as a special version of the Apache Longbow , designated AH-64DI or Saraph . In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received modified Gulfstream V jets ("Nachshon"), equipped with advanced intelligence systems made by Israel Military Industries . By 2013 Israel became
2385-425: The orange orchards around Herzliya, and did not appear on published maps. The Israeli Air Force scored its first aerial victories on June 3 when Modi Alon, flying Avia D.112, shot down two Egyptian Air Force DC-3s which had just bombed Tel Aviv . The first dogfight against enemy fighters took place a few days later, on June 8, when Gideon Lichtaman shot down an Egyptian Spitfire . During these initial operations,
2438-542: The remainder of the war. In a surprise attack, the IAF destroyed most of the Egyptian Air Force while its planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day, with surrounding Arab countries drawn into the fighting, the IAF had mauled the Syrian and Jordanian air forces, striking as far as Iraq . After six days of fighting, Israel claimed a total of 452 Arab aircraft destroyed, of which 49 were aerial victories. After
2491-565: The second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 Iranian -supplied medium- and long-range missile launchers in just 34 minutes. Widespread condemnation followed the July 30 IAF airstrike on a building suspected to be a militant hideout near the village of Qana, in which 28 civilians were killed. Hezbollah shot down an IAF CH-53 Yas'ur helicopter on the last day of the war, killing five crew members. Israeli aircraft shot down three of Hezbollah's Iranian -made aerial drones during
2544-488: The squadron operated with a few planes versus almost complete Arab theater air supremacy . The airplanes were parked dispersed between the orange trees. The fighters were moved in October to Hatzor Airbase from the Herzliya strip due to its unsuitability in rainy conditions, probable loss of clandestine status, moving front lines which made former British bases safe for use, and a shift in the balance of air superiority towards
2597-712: The tail fin. Forerunners of the Israeli Air Force were Sherut Avir , the air wing of the Haganah , and the Palestine Flying Service established by the Irgun in 1937. The Israeli Air Force formed on May 28, 1948, shortly after Israel declared statehood and found itself under attack . The force consisted of a hodge-podge of commandeered or donated civilian aircraft converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex- World War II combat-aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of
2650-607: The tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots—five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By the end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while reporting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters. Egyptian and Soviet forces claimed to shoot down approximately 20 Israeli Air Force planes with surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units. On October 6, 1973, with war imminent,
2703-481: The world's largest exporter of drones . In December 2016, Israel received its first pair of F-35 Lightning II from the United States. Three months after the assassination of the leader of Hezbollah , Abbas al-Musawi , the IAF launched an offensive across South Lebanon with five air raids in six days. Some of the targets struck were as far north as Baalbek . On the final day, 26 May 1992, there were more than 40 missile strikes. Over 20 civilians were killed during
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#17328524243502756-495: Was quickly discontinued when the dire situation on the Golan Heights became apparent. IAF efforts were redirected north, where the ill-fated Operation Model 5 was carried out. Flying with outdated intelligence and no electronic screening against mobile SAM batteries and heavy flak, 6 IAF Phantoms were lost. The sustained campaign required to defeat enemy air defences was abandoned in the face of Egyptian and Syrian advances and
2809-498: Was the last American aircraft to use the bomb; tactical aircraft had mostly switched to using the Mark 80-series bombs , particularly the Mark 82 (500 pounds (227 kg)) or Mark 84 (2,000 pounds (907 kg)) bombs and their guided equivalents. On 26 June 2015, the last Mk 117 in PACAF inventory was dropped by a B-52H crew on an island near Andersen AFB , Guam . In October 2023, during
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