TEL AVIV, May 19 (Reuters) - Israel has signed a

five-year $55 million contract with Elbit Systems

for advanced protection systems for the Air Force's

Black Hawk and Apache combat helicopters, the defence ministry

said on Monday.

The project includes technology to ensure maximum protection

in complex combat scenarios, including systems for identifying,

disrupting and neutralising threats as well as systems to

deflect guided missiles, the ministry said.