Reply With QuoteWhat they need to do is to create some conformal fuel tanks for it - the proposal for a Norwegian version is great except for those drag-inducing fatties under her.
Gripen News Thread
I'm gonna use this thread and I hope others will too for news regarding the SAAB Gripen jet and associated systems.
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Gripen to present CARRIER BASED jet for UK/India at Farnborough
SOURCE:Flight International
New Gripen variants studied by Saab
Saab-led Gripen International is studying future development options for its Gripen multirole fighter, including the possible installation of a more powerful engine, increasing the type’s overall size and maximum take-off weight, and the potential availability of a carrierborne strike variant.
Intended to boost the long-term export prospects for the single-engined Gripen – as competition increases from rival types over the next decade – the enhancements could result in a modification package similar to the Super Hornet enhancement to Boeing’s baseline F/A-18, say industry sources.
While the Gripen’s current Volvo Aero-supplied RM12 turbofan engine could be further modified to deliver a 10-15% increase in thrust to meet future fighter requirements in Denmark and Norway, company officials say the installation of thelarger General Electric F414 could provide 25% more power, increasing the aircraft’s operating range and payload.
If implemented, use of the F414 would require major structural changes to the current Gripen airframe, with these to include a larger centre fuselage barrel, enlarged engine inlets, redesigned nose gear and a need to provide additional internal fuel capacity, say industry sources.
Other potential capability enhancements for the Gripen include the proposed integration of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) for the aircraft’s Ericsson PS05 multimode radar from around 2012, says Jonas Branzell, the company’s project manager for airborne radars. A multi-channel AESA could be available from 2015, followed by a fully multifunctional system from 2018, he says. Both would draw on technologies developed during Ericsson’s ongoing Nora demonstration project.
Models of enlarged and carrierborne fighter concepts of the Gripen are expected to be unveiled at the Farnborough air show in mid-July, says Gripen International.
The latter is understood to have emerged as a potential candidate to meet Indian navy maritime strike requirements, but could also be offered to countries like the UK if the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter project encounters future difficulties.
http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...d+by+Saab.html
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Red Flag to test Swedes
The Swedish air force is to conduct its first major overseas deployment of the Saab JAS39C/D Gripen fighter in early July, with seven of its aircraft to be flown to the USA to participate in the inaugural Red Flag Alaska exercise.
Five single-seat Gripen Cs and two two-seat Ds will depart Ronneby airbase in Sweden on 13 July for an approximately 5,500nm (10,200km) outbound deployment to be conducted without in-flight refuelling and divided into eight legs. To be accompanied by two Lockheed Martin C-130H transports, the aircraft and 12 pilots are scheduled to arrive at Eilson AFB, Alaska on 17 July, one week before the start of Red Flag flying activities, which will conclude on 4 August.
Between four and six of the aircraft will conduct two missions a day during the exercise, conducting tasks such as air intercept, daylight ground attack and offensive air operations, says Swedish Red Flag detachment commander Lt Col Ken Lindberg. “Gripen is going to be seen in every role,” including leading composite air packages with other participating nations, he says. Previously referred to as exercise “Cooperative Cope Thunder”, the manoeuvres are expected to involve 47 fighters and six support aircraft from the US Air Force and coalition countries.
To prepare for the Red Flag detachment, six Gripen C/Ds participated in a two-week exercise at Sweden’s Vidsel test range in early June, logging 175 flight hours and dropping six Paveway laser-guided bombs using Litening III targeting pods and ground-based forward air controllers. The exercise was also used to prove recent upgrades performed by the air force’s operational test and evaluation unit at Malmen airbase, including software and communications modifications and the integration of a podded rangeless debriefing system.
http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...st+Swedes.html
What they need to do is to create some conformal fuel tanks for it - the proposal for a Norwegian version is great except for those drag-inducing fatties under her.
SAAB has said CFTs will be examined after a customer's demand. 'Cos the development costs are a bit expensive.
Carrier based Gripen??? Hmmm, very interesting.
I'm not a huge fan of CFTs but oh well... for the norwegian one you mean the fuel drop tanks in the picture? yea in flight that would mean drag but it's meant for patrol not combat. They would be dropped for that. And the new gear position and larger wings mean more internal fuel than the existing C/D without the use of external tanks.Originally Posted by Bert
What they need to do is to create some conformal fuel tanks for it - the proposal for a Norwegian version is great except for those drag-inducing fatties under her.
so IMO I'd prefer it like that than CFT's that add serious weight, more radar image and can't be dropped at all
Saab receives 1 Billion SEK order for Continued Development of the Gripen System
[2006-07-03 16:33]
Saab, as a partner in the Swedish Industry Group JAS, has received a 1 billion SEK order from FMV (the Swedish Defence Material Administration) covering continued development of the Gripen System.
The current order is a regular part of the Gripen program´s overall continuous development and upgrade process. The order covers various software upgrades as well as other development activities supporting the long term development of the Gripen system.
Work will be performed at Saab Aerosystems and Saab Aerotech in Linköping, Sweden as well as at Saab Avitronics in Järfälla and Kista, Sweden. The order will not require an increase in existing manpower levels.
The Industry Group JAS (IG JAS) is the joint venture partnership that develops the Gripen System for the Swedish Armed Forces. Partners included in IG JAS are Saab Volvo Aero Corporation and Ericsson Microwave Systems. Saab has recently announced the intent to acquire Ericsson Microwave Systems in a deal expected to close in September 2006.
Saab is one of the world´s leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.
How the Gripen exhibition will look like at FIA 2006 (from the official website).
Is this the new carrier based version? Note the smaller intakes - wonder what the reasoning behind that is...
Nah that's just the cockpit mockup thingy ... they would need larger intakes for a new high powered version anyway..How the Gripen exhibition will look like at FIA 2006 (from the official website).
Is this the new carrier based version? Note the smaller intakes - wonder what the reasoning behind that is...
hmm, today I hope to see pics from mil.se as the guys leave for Red Flag.
What happened to the thrust-vectoring EJ200 idea?
I look forward to seeing her at Farnborough.
It goes as scheduled, under development from ITP of Spain. I even saw a mock-up version in Farnborough 2000. But don't expect to see it prior to 2010 (Typhoon Tranche 3 version).
As for the Gripen, equipped with the EJ230 TVC, if the UK starts thinking the naval-based version, then I expect a quick go-ahead for any modifications in the plane.
Gripens of Sw.AF at RAF Lossiemouth at present. An interesting change from the usual (yawn) Tornados.
This is their second visit.
Nice, do you know if this is the Gripen's for Farnbourgh or the ones leaving for Red flag Alaska ? (7 jets afaik)
Ed: err.. or actually for the Air tattoo RAF Fairford ?
Last edited by signatory; 07-14-2006 at 08:20 AM.
To be honest I'm not sure - I've only seen one aircraft at a time - one last evening and another about an hour ago, and a Sw.AF C-130 went in to Lossie about 40 minutes ago.
As there was a Gripen detachment here earlier in the year, I'm wondering if this is just a stop-off as you suggest. Maybe en-route to RIAT. I'll post if I get any more intel.
cool cool.. well it could be more than one reason, the Red Flag guys is going with a C-130 though and the group began leaving Sweden yesterday.
Red flag jets: 39.2xx series
RIAT ones probably 39.1xx
+ a Czech AF Gripen going to RIAT
Sw.AF Tp84 went out again 30 mins ago.
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