Israel has awarded a $34-million contract to Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone to develop and integrate external fuel tanks for the Israeli Air Force’s F-35I “Adir” fighter fleet, aiming to significantly extend the aircraft’s operational range. The project adapts Cyclone’s existing external fuel tank design originally created for the F-16 Fighting Falcon and supports Israel’s broader military modernization and wartime readiness initiatives. By equipping the stealth fighters with additional fuel capacity, the Israeli Air Force is expected to reduce its dependence on aerial refueling operations, which often present logistical and operational challenges during long-range missions. Reports indicate that F-35Is equipped with both external and conformal fuel tanks were already used during Operation Rising Lion against Iran in 2025, enabling missions far beyond the aircraft’s standard combat radius. The underwing 425-gallon external tanks can reportedly be jettisoned before entering contested airspace, while conformal tanks developed with Israel Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin preserve the aircraft’s low-observable characteristics.
