(JT) wrote in message . com...
Rob, do you have any links for this project? Sounds really
interesting. I have seen data on the Lampyridae but this is the first
time I'm hearing of the Firefly II.

Regards,
-----JT-----

(robert arndt) wrote in message . com...

Actually, it's more complicated than that. South Africa's project is
indeed called "Seraph" and is known by the Israelis. However, the
"Seraph" (Fiery Serpent) the IAF is interested in is an aircraft based
on the German "Firefly II" that supposedly was test-flown in recent
years in South Africa at the Overberg range.
The original MBB Lampyridae (Firefly) was a stealth interceptor
remarkably close in resemblence to the early F-117. Supposedly, the US
found out about the aircraft in 1981 and pressured West Germany to
give it up by 1989- project cancelled. However, as MBB became DASA, DB
Aerospace, and now EADS it is said that the Germans never gave the
project up and it evolved into a highly advanced NATO stealth project
known as "Firefly II"- a tailless medium-size black triangle
(powerplant unknown).
Israeli-German military co-operation is increasing, so it is not that
hard to believe that the Israelis were aware of the Firefly II test
flight at Overberg. The Israelis might have even witnessed it.
Anyway, the IAF "Seraph" is related to a stealth aircraft, not South
Africa's project.

Rob

Fascinating stuff, but I have people e-mailing me with all sorts of
conflicting information.

One guy stated that the Seraph was just what the Israelis call the
Longbow Apache helicopter!

Several others mention the South African program or the name of one of
Israel's future missiles.

Now there is this connection to a German/NATO stealth plane?

I get the part about the prototype Lampyridae but like everyone else
just figured the project was cancelled. This new information about a
Firefly II is news to me, although I've read that Bae, Dassault, and
EADs all have their own stealth programs and secret facilities.
Germany with its large population might not be an ideal place to fly
black aircraft- even at night. So, testing a plane in South Africa
might not be out of place.

I did read about the Israeli missile test off South Africa due to the
fact that I find the Dolphin subs quite exciting as I do Germany's
U-31- the first Type 212 sub with AIP.

But I never heard of the Firefly II.

If it exists, what are its dimesions? What powers it? Where else has
it been spotted/reported?

I remember in the '90s all the press about the stealth crash at
Boscome Down, the Bae Warton facility, and the almost near-collision
of the HALO prototype(s) with UK commercial aviation. So, I'm
confident that stealth aircraft really does exist.

But what of the Firefly II? In addition, why exactly would Israel need
such a craft? No AF I know of comes close to challenging the IAF.

Kenneth Williams