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Why do they have swedish airforce mark on them in that strange place?
Yesterday the Swedish government signed off on the RTAF Gripen x6 delivery and today they began their long flight to Wing 7 Surat Thani.
Spotted in Hungary which is just one of several stops on the way. Hold thumbs everything works out fine especially that final jump on/off the Andaman Islands. Let's keep those sharks in the air...
Credit: Zord @ Air Power blog
39.860 - 70101
39.861 - 70102
39.401 - 70105
39.862 - 70103
39.863 - 70104
39.402 - 70106
Credit: Zord @ Air Power blog
Why do they have swedish airforce mark on them in that strange place?
International bureaucracy... they are atm Swedish state airplanes. There's Thai flag and insignia under those stickers.Originally Posted by jochen
Gonna be great seeing those jets in beautiful South Thailand
Is the Location of this antenna new and what is it for? The Gripen participated at Aero India had them higher above and I know this only from Gripen NG. Anything else that was changed?
ILS antenna. First moved to its new position on the South African aircraft and since then on Thai and new SwAF jets. Thai Gripens have a few other changes such as extra cooling to the engine. They also get a national datalink developed and supplied under ToT by Saab.
RTAF Gripens setting off car alarms on Crete
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1du3zlKfDyg
By MichailAlex
Don't expect the same luck with spotters in the arab dictatorships.. maybe someone in India will snap them though.
Seems like the "competition" (circus rather) in Brazil has been suspended until further notice.
Dilma warns that there is no 'climate' to buy fighter planes
BRASILIA - The Plateau has suspended the purchase of 36 fighters to join the Air Force (FAB) is in effect while the period of fiscal austerity..After announcing a budget cut of $ 50 billion, the president Rousseff assessed that there is no "climate" to consider a military spending of U.S. $ 7 billion (about $ 12 billion), reported that the four ministers O Estado de S. Paulo.
http://translate.googleusercontent.c...RRNzrA5OWOy0Gw
Some photos of the arrival to Surat Thani..
Good job getting them there!
Last edited by signatory; 02-22-2011 at 10:55 AM.
Former Thai F-5 and F-16 pilots got the itch...
TheNation
Pilots itching to fly latest Gripens, seen as a new force in the region
By The Nation
Published on February 23, 2011
After a long wait for the much-heralded Swedish-made Gripen jet fighters to be commissioned, Royal Thai Air Force pilots are now itching to fly the new aircraft that will replace vintage F-5 fighters.
The Gripen, with the designated code of JAS-39 C/D, has technological advantages 30 years ahead of even the US-made F-16 fighters, the newest aircraft in the RTAF, according to Wing Cmdr Natthawut Duangsoongnern.
One of six pilots who underwent the basic flight course on the Gripen, Natthawut said: "The RTAF's addition of Gripen is a significant addition to air power in the region."
With full use of its support systems, including weaponry and air defence, Gripen is regarded as a fighter of the future, said Natthawut, who with five other pilots was selected from more than 20 with F-5 and F-16 flying experience.
Wing Cmdr Jakkrit Thammawichai is commander of Wing 701 in Surat Thani where the first six Gripen will be stationed. He said another six Gripen jets and their support systems would be handed to Thailand later.
Four of the fighters are two-seaters for training, while the other eight, the C model, are one-seaters.The RTAF purchase of Gripens provides not only the fighter jets, but also an entire support system that includes technology transfer and scholarship and supplementary training in advanced technology.
With real-time data links through encryption among all jets, the Gripen is superior to other fighters that have equivalent technology, meaning that the Gripen can fight or defeat enemy fighters at a ratio of one to four, or even one to eight.
"This well explains why we don't need to employ them in large numbers," he said.
Unlike deployment of mainly US-made fighters, in which technology regarding electronics warfare has been classified, Gripen offers open training including electronic countermeasures.
"This means we can stand on our own in terms of mastering difficult and advanced technologies. This is a great leap forward for the RTAF," he said.
The six pilots will train another four after they fully complete entire courses.
Bpost6 Gripen jets land, await official handover
* Published: 23/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
Six Gripen jet fighters have landed in Surat Thani where they will wait to be officially handed over by the Swedish manufacturer.
The fighters, flown by Swedish pilots, made a smooth touchdown on the runway of the Wing 7 air force base about 7.30pm yesterday after leaving Sweden on Feb 18 and stopping over in Hungary, Greece, Egypt and India en route to Thailand.
They are the first batch of 12 Gripen 39 C/D jet fighters that will replace the ageing F-5A/B jets. They will become the pride of the air force which was allocated almost 40 billion baht to acquire the state-of-the-art planes.
Air force commander Ittha**** Subhawong, who earlier said he wanted to conduct test flights of the planes, led executives of Gripen manufacturer, Saab, to welcome the six jets in Surat Thani yesterday.
Two air force pilots who have undergone training on the Gripens in Sweden flew with the six jets. However, they took the back seat in the planes commanded by Swedish pilots because the jets technically still belong to Sweden.
The jets will be inspected and officially handed over to the air force next month.
Thailand is the first country in Asean to own Gripen jets, said Gp Capt Putthipong Phonchiwin, who completed Gripen training and returned home earlier.
He said his experience with the fighter was unforgettable.
"The Gripen is very cool indeed. For me, it's the number one fighter," he said.
"It's different from the F5 jet I've flown before. It's like a sedan and a sports car. Thailand is the only country in Asean to operate the Gripen."
The jet can also be fitted with weapons which are now used on the US-made F16 jets, Gp Capt Putthipong said.
The air force is sending 10 more pilots to train on the aircraft as the other six jets are due to arrive in Thailand next year. Gp Capt Putthipong said F5 and F16 pilots were extremely keen to become Gripen pilots.
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Year-End report for the Swedish military is out. Nothing surprising or interesting in terms of JAS 39. Flight hours for the SwAF Gripens stood at 12,777 I.E 99% of planned outtake and comparable to 2009. During the year IRIS-T, GBU-49 and Link 16 went operational. 6 additional LITENING Pods delivered.
ÅR10
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Last edited by signatory; 02-23-2011 at 01:15 AM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKXpqDFXmY
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Delivery of Gripen fighter aircraft to Thailand
Publicerad: 2011-02-22 23:13
At a ceremony in Thailand February 22 FMV handed over six Gripen fighter aircrafts from the latest C- and D-version to the Royal Thai Air Force.
Air Chief Marchall Ittha**** Suphawong from the Royal Thai Air Force welcomes the pilots and the six Gripen fighter aircrafts.
This completes the final delivery of the first phase of the integrated air defense system that Thailand procured.
Just before Christmas, FMV delivered the first parts of the air defense systems that Sweden and Thailand agreed on in 2008. And today FMV completed its commitment by delivering the six Gripen aircrafts. They arrived in Thailand after having flown from Sweden via Hungary, Crete, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and India.
“We have now successfully delivered a complete air defense system. Swedish pilots and technicians will now help Thailand to start using the system”, said Arne Héden, head of Gripen Thailand at FMV.
The agreement of 2008 between FMV, as a representative of Sweden and Thailand, covers six Gripen aircraft (four Jas 39D and two Jas 39C) with associated equipment and services, a Saab 340 aircraft with airborne radar surveillance system, a Saab 340 for transport and education and an integrated Command and Control system with data links.
The agreement contains, in addition, an extensive logistical support, training for Thai pilots and technicians as well as simulators. Sweden will also help as advisors in Thailand during the introduction of the Gripen and the Erieye system in the Royal Thai Air Force.
The equipment, together with the commitment to train pilots and technicians as well as bilateral agreements for the development of advanced data link and transfer of technology, form a comprehensive solution.
In November 2010 FMV signed a new agreement with Thailand, which covers additional six Gripen fighters of the latest C version, along with a Saab 340 with Erieyeradar and the Swedish missile RB 15F. Delivery of the components will take place during 2012 and 2013.
As part of the contract, Sweden will transfer the latest technology in advanced military aircraft to Thailand. The purpose of this is through long-term partnership develop the aerospace and defense skills in Thailand. This will also serve as a base for industry in Thailand in terms of future development.
http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=5554
Last edited by signatory; 02-23-2011 at 01:15 AM.
From the Year-End report :
28 st. Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal (MIDS LVT terminaler) har mottagits. Med hjälp av dessa realiseras kommunikation med taktiskt datalänksystem Länk 16. Länk 16 kommer i första hand användas för stridsledning av Gripensystemet och utgör en förutsättning för interoperabilitet med andra nationer.The new terminals are using NATO cryptos to "talk to" Link-16 networks as I understand but are they at the same time seamlessly operational with the cryptos for the current data/fighter-link or are they mutually exclusive?
If they are able to operate at the same time, side by side in one aircraft, any plans for integration along the lines for the thai solution (sharing plots between Gripens current data link and Link-16) ? Are the thai's using Link-16 terminals in their F-16?
linkACM Ittha**** said the US had allowed the Secos-link system on the Gripen fighters to link with the system of the US-made F16 fighters.
An air force source said permission was obtained after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva raised the matter with US President Barack Obama during his visit to the US last month.
Secos = The thai version of the Gripen data link.
Outtakes from the FMV 2010 report.
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Sharp Shooting with AMRAAM missile
In May, there was a shooting by an live charged-AMRAAM missile from the JAS 39 Gripen at the test site Vidsel. The shooting was part of a demonstration of India as a potential customer of the Gripen system. The shooting was witnessed by an Indian pilot from the rear of a JAS 39 Gripen.
The shooting was carried out in collaboration between air combat school and Norrbotten Wing F 21, A specific firing profile was developed in extensive work in close collaboration between the Armed Forces, FMV and missile manufacturer Raytheon. This was the first time a live loaded AMRAAM missile was tested over land in Europe.
Meteor missile from the JAS 39 Gripen
During the fall was the test site Vidsel hosted a launch of a meteor robot from the JAS 39 Gripen in Swedish service. It was the first test shots and it was a so-called "safe-separation" test. In this shot they wanted to verify the robot and aircraft in the separation phase. The robot flew as planned, and was suspended with FTS (Flight TerminationSystem) when it flew the planned route.
With Meteor JAS 39 Gripen receives a significantly increased ability to act against airborne targets at long distances with very high performance.
Air Refueling Tests with the JAS 39 Gripen
In June FMV conducted flight tests with the JAS 39 Gripen C / D to the U.S. Air Force tanker plane KC-135R.
A total of six test flights, with 33 connections between planes and tankers. The requirements for certification were met during the tests and FMV's work led to justification for the clearance of the U.S. tanker plane.
During the year a number of major projects completed and delivered completed. Notable is the development of RBS 23 Bamse missile system, acquisition UndE 23, protection package to combat 90, systems work MARKUS, Stridsbåt 1990 HS Series 1, adjustment program avionics / sensor JAS 39 Gripen, the modification of a Hercules transport aircraft 84 for air refueling, Ledsyst phase 3.
March
FMV puts order for the further development of the JAS 39 Gripen version C / D. Improvements in self-protection, a new light attack weapon and the capacity for data communications with ground units are examples of developed abilities.
Export
FMV conducted on behalf of the government until August 1, 2010 support activities to promote Swedish defense exports. With the establishment of the new Defence Export Authority (FXM) 1st August, responsibility for this activity to FXM.
Up to 1 August 2010, a large number of export-supporting activities undertaken. FMV has left support in campaigns to promote the JAS 39 Gripen in potential customer countries. During the year, activities were conducted in India, Bulgaria, Croatia, Switzerland, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia. FMV has made resources available to satisfy certain countries wishes to implement acquisitions directly from the Swedish state, so-called Government-to-Government sales.
(Note: FXM is not equally good as FMV on its reporting. Only names regions where they gave support. No specific countries.)
FMV YE10
Gripen News Thread (signs pact with the devil(?) and..) goes Twitter.
I plan on using the @GripenNews account to point to selected news-posts of wider interest that has been made by either one of us in this thread. Hopefully to help spread the word on interesting stories.
So we'll see how this plays out.
Follow the Gripen News Thread On Twitter.
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I don't know if this thing below can even count as news..
IDRW: Sea Gripen will be ready for Indian Navy in no time: SAAB Official
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New team of RTAF Pilots Begin Gripen Training In Sweden
Finding a suitable mask.
As six Swedish fighter jets were delivered to Thailand this week the RTAF sent over six new Thai fighter pilots to Sweden and F 7 Skaraborg wing for JAS 39C/D training.
For the next six months the Thai students, former F-16 pilots, will train on JAS 39C/D and simulators. Going through CT (conversion training) and CRT (combat readiness training) for tactical handling of onboard weapon systems.
This is the first Thai group to go directly into C/D aircraft.
SweMil [Swedish]
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GNT on Twitter
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