“Explosives should never be underestimated, they should be respected—when you get to know them, you find them very interesting and not threatening,” says Yael Shtorch, a project manager of barrel propellants in the field of energetic materials in the Land and IMI Division. “You have to get to know the material like you get to know a new person: everyone has their own little sensitivities and subtleties.”
Yael’s work on innovative development in the field of barrel propellants resulted in her award as a president’s outstanding employee in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.
My Story
The development Yael is working on these days is a new process in the world of barrel’s ammunition propellant packing—designed to replace the existing combustible boxes. “Whether it is a mortar bomb (MB) projecting out of a mortar barrel or a shell projecting out of an artillery barrel—the ammo has a propel system inside a box,” she explains. “The point is that these boxes have several problems—so we started thinking about alternatives. We are currently evaluating five polymers, hoping that one of them will be better than the existing box. We received funding from MAFAT as part of the unique project and are turning to the Academy as well”.
Yael’s work allows her great creativity and interaction with various areas in projects run by the people around her. “My specialization in the company is in propellants, while in the combustible packaging project, we set up a team with excellent people and diverse specialties. My happiness stems from the interest that comes with dealing with so many different issues. The whole place is like a magical kibbutz — and the whole atmosphere is the freedom to initiate and create,” she says.
After completing academic studies, Yael received a teaching certificate and even thought she would become a teacher, but ultimately chose to transition into the world of defense industries, due to an influential lecturer from the university. “What attracted me to the field was a very interesting project in the field of chemistry—and my eyes lit up.” She brings her passion for teaching into the workplace: “In the past, I gave a course on propellants to employees and I liked it very much. Even during my current work, I have the opportunity to mentor employees. Right now, in the ‘You make a difference’ project in the Land and IMI Division at Elbit, I am part of a group that mentors and guides new female employees”.
In her free time, Yael likes to read and practice yoga. The sources of inspiration in her life come from various fields of activity: “Every year I watch the Israel Awards (‘with three other people in Israel’), and I hear the amazing stories—to see where people have reached and what has influenced them.”
