Alon Stopel Credit – Courtesy
In a bold move to propel Israel to the forefront of next-generation aviation and communication technologies, the Israel Innovation Authority has unveiled a groundbreaking investment of NIS 100 million ($28 million). This strategic initiative will fuel cutting-edge research in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communication (IISAC)—pioneering advancements that could redefine the future of flight and connectivity.
Bringing together Israel’s top-tier companies, leading academic institutions, and global industry giants, these ambitious programs will drive the development of revolutionary sustainable aviation solutions and ultra-intelligent communication networks. This investment cements Israel’s position as a powerhouse in deep-tech innovation, ensuring it remains a key player in shaping the technological landscape of tomorrow.
Over the next three years, this investment will fund pioneering research in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), developed in collaboration with Boeing, and Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communication (IISAC) – a breakthrough initiative integrating positioning, sensing, and transmission/reception into a unified smart network. These consortia will support the development of cost-effective, bio-based jet fuel from renewable sources and next-generation telecom technologies that enhance real-time situational awareness, ultra-fast response times, and network efficiency for Beyond 5G/6G applications. By leveraging Israel’s strengths in deep-tech innovation, these projects will create new economic opportunities, bolster Israel’s role as a global leader in future-critical industries, and ensure Israeli industry remains competitive on the world stage.
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“The Israel Innovation Authority invests in pioneering technologies with the potential to drive breakthroughs in international markets and strengthen Israel’s standing as a global innovation hub,” said Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority. “The investments we approved – in bio-based jet fuel and geolocation and sensing technologies for smart communication networks – are an integral part of our strategy to transform global challenges into economic opportunities for Israeli industry.”
SAF: The Sustainable Fuel That Could Transform Aviation
The global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has reached the aviation sector, which accounts for approximately 2-4% of global CO₂ emissions from energy sources. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set an ambitious target: a 50% reduction in aviation emissions by 2050.
To meet this challenge, Israel is launching an SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) consortium, bringing together five industrial companies and six academic research teams to develop bio-based aviation fuel derived from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, solid organic waste, synthetic gas, residues from the wood and paper industries, and recycled plastics. The goal is to create a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional jet fuel—both for the Israeli market (including local airlines and the Air Force) and as the foundation for an Israeli export industry supplying fuel additives and components to emerging global markets.
Participating companies: Bazan Group Oil Refineries Ltd., Ashdod Refinery, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Gaia Biotechnologies Ltd., and Enzymotec Ltd. The consortium will be supported by leading researchers from Ben-Gurion University, the Technion, Bar-Ilan University, and the Hebrew University.
IISAC: A Smart Communication Revolution – Integrating Sensing, Positioning, and Communication
As the global race for next-generation communication technologies accelerates, Israel is making a strategic push to reassert itself as a leader in the field. The IISAC (Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communication) consortium will develop a revolutionary concept that combines real-time situational awareness, precise 4D location tracking (position + time), ultra-fast response times, and enhanced efficiency for Beyond 5G/6G networks.
The cutting-edge technologies developed in this initiative will dramatically reduce the costs of developing, acquiring, operating, and maintaining both private and public networks, while laying the groundwork for next-generation applications in fields ranging from autonomous systems and defense to smart cities and industrial IoT (Internet of Things).
Participating companies: CEVA, Parallel Wireless, Cognata, Senstation, and Cellcom. Leading researchers from Ben-Gurion University, Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, and Ariel University will support the initiative.
“Israel was once a key player in global communications, but in recent years, the market has been dominated by international giants,” said Aviv Zeevi, Vice President of the Israel Innovation Authority and Head of Innovation Infrastructure. “The Innovation Authority is identifying areas where Israel has a genuine technological edge – and the IISAC consortium is precisely such an opportunity. If we leverage it correctly, Israeli communications companies have a real chance to compete and lead in the global market.”
