Gripen News Thread

[Martel]

I've read that SAAB consider buying AESA radar from France using technologies from the RBE2-AA currently developed which will be fitted on the Rafale in 2010-2012.
Some (swedish ?) engineers went to Cazaux (french Air Force test field) to see the flying testbed (a modified 2000-B).
Any news from your side ?

[signatory]

I've read that SAAB consider buying AESA radar from France using technologies from the RBE2-AA currently developed which will be fitted on the Rafale in 2010-2012.
Some (swedish ?) engineers went to Cazaux (french Air Force test field) to see the flying testbed (a modified 2000-B).
Any news from your side ?

Haven't heard.. but generally speaking there's more cooperation in this field between France and Sweden. Sometimes for a national product and sometimes for export to a 3rd state. Sweden's long term goal is otoh to build M-AESA systems together with Italian Selex and create a European source for MMIC modules.

But before this we need other cooperation, we have it with the US (Raytheon testbeds have flown in Sweden) but if France can also offer something good then why not.. just for the array though. not the subsystems. Could be technology for next version of EriEye, Gripen radar, or ground based air defense. Just guessing of course.

[Svetlana]

Hey, you guys seems to know a lot about Gripen... Does anyone know something about the deal with SA 1999? (Hawks and Gripen) The agreement was that some part of the planes was going to be built in SA. Does anyone know how big that part was? I mean in the deal, not what it actually turned out to be....

[signatory]

Hey, you guys seems to know a lot about Gripen... Does anyone know something about the deal with SA 1999? (Hawks and Gripen) The agreement was that some part of the planes was going to be built in SA. Does anyone know how big that part was? I mean in the deal, not what it actually turned out to be....

If you go to the Gripen Image base and search for Denel then you'll get some pictures of work in South Africa. Such as Rear fuselage and Weapons pylons. I don't know how much they do overall.



There is also South African electronics warfare components from Saab Grintek into the SA Gripen's and other bits and pieces when possible.

[Svetlana]

Ah, thanks Signatory. So Denel and Grintek are the only suppliers for Gripen and Hawks in SA? What about the engine for Gripen? Doesn´t Volvo have a plant for making that in SA? Or is that something that was made up after the deal was closed?

[signatory]

Ah, thanks Signatory. So Denel and Grintek are the only suppliers for Gripen and Hawks in SA? What about the engine for Gripen? Doesn´t Volvo have a plant for making that in SA? Or is that something that was made up after the deal was closed?

I've never heard of any plan to produce the engine in South Africa. What do you mean "made up" ?

There's thousands of South African specific details on the SA Gripen's, Denel being the dominant player in SA also participate in the development of the HMD Cobra for Gripen and Eurofighter. If there's other companies involved they most likely go through Denel or Grintek as subcontractors.

But anyway, this South African deal is mostly a BAE issue. Saab only really provide the Gripen jets. Whoever is delivering what to Hawk jets or what else is going on in the BAE deal is not something I know or care about.

[signatory]

Interview with SwAF pilot Stefan Kaarle

In Swedish ..



Accidents with combat jets is unavoidable.

- It's part of the continuing development of the jets and therefore it will happen again.

So state Stefan Kaarle (37), the pilot who crashed a Gripen jet over Vidsel last week.

He has already been up flying Gripen again.

[Svetlana]

Thank you, Signatory. Didn´t mean "made up", I meant decided. Sorry for that. But I was wrong then.

[signatory]

Empire Test Pilot School flies the Gripen Simulator at F7 Såtenäs

Publicerad: May 2, 2007 9:9

The very well reputed British Test Pilot School, ETPS, has for a number of years used the Swedish Gripen as an example of a modern flight system in their test pilot training programme. To train a test pilot takes a year and the students gets to fly between 20 to 25 different types of aircraft, from gliders to Airbus.

At the present moment there was three students, all from the Royal Air Force. They had a varied background as pilots in C-130 J Hercules/Tucano, Harrier and Tornado GR4.

When talking to the students after they finished the Gripen simulator flying they were all very positive. Expressions like; very user friendly, good performance and that the very important man machine interface was very good where words they all agreed about.

The training continued with 3-4 flights in the real aircraft at SAAB in Linköping to be followed by a post flight report.

One from ETPS, Test Pilot Instructor Rhys Williams, passed during this campaign 100 flight hours in Gripen.

Text: Håkan Brandt

[signatory]

Danish Visit To The Armed Forces Technical School

Denmark is considering the enhanced JAS Gripen [pdf] as a F-16 replacement.

This information visit was related to Gripen training, including demonstration of the engine test-house and other buildings specially designed for the Gripen. Quoted as impressed and satisfied, the Danish visit also coincided with the Norwegian signing of a Gripen partnership program last week.

The article also mention the ongoing negotiatons with Denmark on a similar agreement to grant Denmark access to confidentional data on the Gripen.


Swedish pylons... and notice the background

Danskjävel



SwAf: 2 May 2007

[easyand]

Norway Signs Development Agreement for JAS-39N Gripen


"The negotiations with JAS Gripen and Eurofighter which commenced early January 2007 are well on track... Progress has also been made in the negotiations over development agreements with the two other candidates in the combat aircraft acquisition project, JAS Gripen and Eurofighter."

Negotiations with respect to the JAS-39 Gripen option appear to have borne fruit - for the future of the Gripen fighter, as well as for Norway's stated goals...


JAS-39 Gripen cutaway
© Gripen International
(click to expand, 423k)On April 26, 2007, Norway and Sweden signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in development work on the future versions of Gripen, worth NOK 150 million (currently about $25 million) over 2 years, with the option to further extend the agreement.

There was also a Letter of Agreement (LoA) signed between Norway and Saab subsidiary Gripen International that will enable Norwegian companies to undertake advanced development work in a range of high technology areas, such as composites, communication systems, studies and integration work for Norwegian weapon systems, ammunition, logistics and data systems connected to the development of the future JAS-39 Gripen.

The most current model of Gripen is the JAS-39 C/D. Low domestic procurement and export totals have placed the fighter's future upgrade path in some question despite a Swedish government funding offset connected to the nEUROn UCAV program.

In order to keep the Gripen competitive with other fighters around the world throughout its life cycle, however, upgrade characteristics like an improved engine, thrust-vectoring, conformal fuel tanks to extend range, a new AESA radar, et. al. have been cited as necessary. Saab is reportedly leading a team of Gripen Next-Generation partners that includes the Swedish government, Saab, Ericsson, Volvo and GE, with a demonstrator for the new version due to fly on a demonstrator in 2008, with an AESA radar scheduled to fly on the demonstrator in 2009.

The JAS-39N proposed for Norway as a replacement for its F-16s represents an improved Gripen variant. Gripen International's January 2007 presentation to Norway promises:

A heavier aircraft with more fuel capacity (empty weight +300kg to 8,100 kg, max. takeoff weight rises from 14,000 kg to 16,000 kg, but internal fuel rises 38%).
Weapons pylons increase from 8 to 10.
Extended range due to increased external and internal fuel capacity.
New engine in 22,000+ pound thrust class; presentation touts "supercruise" though this would likely be in near-clean condition only if at all. GE's F414, produced in partnership with Volvo Aero and in use on the Super Hornet, would offer a 25% power upgrade but requires a number of design modifications.
AESA Radar, probably based on Saab Ericsson's "Nora" project.
New and repositioned landing gear
Improved computing and avionics, including satellite communication, improved datalinks, and improved electronic warfare via jammer pod integration and other measures.

[signatory]

A wrap up of some news from the last few days....

16 new Hungarian service crew fully trained



On Job Training was done at F17, Malmen Vovc and Kechkémet. The heavy training such as replace engine and chair was done at wing F17 Blekinge.

source

Finland, Sweden stage joint air manoeuvres

Fighter planes of the Finnish and Swedish air forces carried out joint military maneuvers on Monday.

The Arctic Fighter Meet tactical exercise was launched in Swedish airspace, local media reported.

Participating in the exercise were about eight JAS-39 Gripen fighters of the Swedish Air Force and up to six F-18 Hornets and two Hawk jet trainers of the Finnish Air Force.

The joint exercise is aimed to develop procedures for cross-border flight maneuvers and coordinate operations by airbases of the two countries.

source
source2

The Swedish Microwave Test Facility A Part of High Voltage Valley (HVV)



The Swedish government aim to establish a world leading EU center for research on electrical development and electromagnetic terrorism. "High Voltage Valley." The mobile MTF facility is now added as one component for testing electrical devices. This will likely save the facility which otherwise might be disbanded like the British MTF lab. Germany, Italy and France still operate theirs.

General MTF System Data
The MTF is mobile and contained in a 12 m ISO container, see figure 1. It is powered by a 230V, 540 kVA, AC, diesel generator. The generator is installed on an ordinary trailer.
The capability of the system consists of five microwave sources at fixed frequencies in the L, S, C, X and Ku radar bands. Parameters, such as the pulse repetition frequency (PRF), the pulse and burst length, and the output power, can be varied.

http://highvoltagevalley.org/

Source

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt Suggest Indian co-development of Gripen

A huge aviation fan, Mr Bildt also visited the Indian aeronautical center in Bangalore during his 2 day visit early May. He held discussions with the Indian defense minister, Prime minister, the national security advisor and others. A new Defense MoU between India and Sweden is underway.

Mr. Bildt said if the IAF bought the JAS-39 Gripen from Saab, Sweden would offer a lot of technology transfer. "I see the aircraft more or less being built [in India] and more than that, I see the possibility of the aircraft being co-developed because what we're talking about is ... a significantly enhanced version of the aircraft. And I would expect India to be part of that."

source

[Emperior]

thanks for info signatory

[Svetlana]

Hi. May I ask another question: Are all the parts of Gripen made in Sweden, or is something manufactured in USA, France, Germany or UK? And has Gripen ever been engaged in combatpractise against F 18? What was the result?

[signatory]

Hi. May I ask another question: Are all the parts of Gripen made in Sweden, or is something manufactured in USA, France, Germany or UK? And has Gripen ever been engaged in combatpractise against F 18? What was the result?

Parts are made mostly in Sweden, UK, France and the US. And in some other western countries, almost all software is written in Sweden though.

Gripen train with and against Finnish F-18C/D every year, most recently last week. The planned next exercise is in a few months. The results are usually not discussed openly. But in raw technical data the Gripen has an advantage. Also there has been exercises with Swiss F-18's.