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Last edited by signatory; 04-23-2007 at 09:02 AM.
Update on flight activites C/D Gripen
The Czech Republic fly live NATO QRA missions as usual with Gripens but has suspended training on Gripen and fly simulators instead while awaiting more information from Saab.
Hungary also suspended training flights but they were not mission operational anyway.
The Swedish Air Force plan to resume flights later this week. The recommendation to not fly was one week Friday to Friday.
The black box has been recovered and is due to be analyzed this week.
Oslo Keeps Fighter Options Open
To Announce Pacts With JSF’s Two European Competitors
Norway is preparing to even up the competition between the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and European rivals pursuing a possible $8 billion combat aircraft order by funding a series of development agreements involving the Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon.
[context]
Tom Gerhardsen, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Norway’s leading defense industry player, disagrees with those who say the JSF signing means the advantage has swung decisively in favor of the U.S. fighter.
The European development programs will be kick-started by Norway signing an MoU with the Swedish government and a letter of agreement (LoA) with industry to cover the development work, a spokesman for the Norwegian MoD said.“In the last 12 months, the competition has become more open,” he said. “The current government is insisting on a level playing field much more than the previous government.”
Gerhardsen wouldn’t give details of the development packages his company is likely to be involved in with the Europeans, but said Kongsberg had already discussed integrating the NSM on Typhoon and Gripen.
Gerhardsen said the Swedes had surprised a lot of industry and government people with regard to how hard they were trying to win over the Norwegians.
Source“Saab has impressed us, while Eurofighter has seemed hesitant,” he said. “Maybe we will see some changes once the LoA is signed. Eurofighter should be in a position to offer a better industrial package, but that’s not the way the picture is at the moment.”
Change To JAS 39 Gripen C/D Flight Recommendations
The new recommendation is changed from no-fly to fly with maximum +3 G-load.
The recommenendation has been passed along to foreign users.
Data from the flight recorder has led to this positive decision. The aim is to completely remove flight restrictions asap after further analysis.
Source
G-suit most likely triggered the ejection
Source
Last edited by signatory; 04-24-2007 at 12:24 PM.
I'm glad they are finding out what caused this.
Good to hear that the cause don´t seem to be something more complex than the ejection handle.
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Yesterday I got bored and puzzled together some pictures from various pdf-files I had, to see how a CFT (The big version) would look on a Gripen.
Text and CFT-picture is from SAAB's AIAA presentation "Conceptual Design of a New Generation JAS 39 Gripen Aircraft"Two versions of dorsal conformal tanks were studied, one without speed requirements and one with supersonic capability. The low speed version, shown in Figure 5, has roughly double the fuel capability of the supersonic
version. Wave drag was the limiting factor for size in the supersonic alternative; directional stability and pitch
moment were problems which both alternatives shared.
However, it turned out that the version with the larger tank was just as capable of reaching supersonic speed as
the specially designed alternative. The greatest benefit from this proposal, apart from increased weapon load
capability if drop tanks are not needed, is its inherent potential for low supersonic drag increase, assuming the cross
section area distribution is properly designed to minimize the wave drag increment.
Regards /C
Preview:
Contractual Signing Of Norwegian - Swedish JAS Gripen Cooperation
To occur in Oslo tomorrow Thursday 26 April 10:30 CET.
Representatives: Mikael Odenberg and Anne-Grete Ström Erichsen.
The Swedish state will guarantee Norwegian open access to the fighter program and support joint ventures when possisble. Norway will in turn sign a industrial agreement with Gripen International on development and research.
Norwegian Source
Swedish Source
Last edited by signatory; 04-25-2007 at 10:24 AM.
I know jack **** about Airfighter industry... do you guys think that the last crash will effect the gripens future exports? Or will they swallow the saab/SvAf version of the incident?
I don´t think it will affect the chances of export very much. It should only affects the statistics...Originally Posted by khukuri
But it may affect the chances of export for Martin-Baker ejection-seats... As well as the G-suits used by the Swedish airforce.
Well eventually the accident investigation board will give their independent report...
The combined Eurofighter fleet only have 16,300 flight hours compared to 90,000 fh. EF have had engine and apu problems in development including a crash due to the engines but little flight hours in air defense duty outside training and evaluation.
This latest crash look to be due to the individually fitted G-suit and not the jet itself (The other in-service crashes were also 'human' error) after fitted to the pilot the suit need to be verified, and it could be this verification process that missed something. But we're only 6 days from the accident so...
If potentional buyers look at the many flight hours and see Gripen have had no engine-related incidents, very high availability, and all ejections have led to the survival of the pilot.. I can't see how that would be negative.
www.gripen.com
- An Important Step Forward On Norwegian-Swedish Collaboration
Source:
Gripen agreement in Norway
Today Norway and Saab, through Gripen International, have signed a Letter of Agreement regarding the future development of the Gripen fighter.
2007-04-26 | The Norwegian Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen and the Swedish Defence Minister Mikael Odenberg, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in development work on the future versions of Gripen. This agreement strengthens Gripen’s chances of being selected as the future fighter aircraft for the Norwegian Air Force. The total value of the agreement is some 150 million Norwegian Kronor (approx. $25 million)
This agreement is an important step for Gripen as a candidate to be selected as Norway’s future fighter aircraft, which is planned to be in-service with the Norwegian Air Force around 2015. Through this agreement, the Norwegian authorities and Norwegian commercial companies will get an extensive understanding and insight into the Gripen system, leading to Norwegian participation in future development work in co-operation with Saab.
There was also a Letter of Agreement (LoA) signed between the Norwegian authorities and the Saab subsidiary Gripen International. This agreement will enable Norwegian companies to work on 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. The total value is worth some 150 million NOK for a period of two years, with the option to further extend the agreement. At this time, Norwegian companies will take part in an increased industrial cooperation connected to the development of the future Gripen.
Gripen International Managing Director Johan Lehander is very positive about the forthcoming co-operation:
- These two agreements clearly emphasise the importance the Norwegian government puts in co-operation between Norway and Sweden. From a Saab perspective, it means that we are now industrial partners. In the longer term, it also strengthens the possibilities for Gripen to replace the current F- 16 fighter aircraft in the Norwegian Air Force, says Lehander.
http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelati...ent_norway.htm
Last edited by signatory; 04-26-2007 at 12:18 PM.
Nice, targeting pod (with FLIR) and with all that extra fuel, seems Gripen International really tries to show how useful Gripen would be for sea surveillance. Any guess what kind of endurance it could have with all that fuel?
Jane's Defence Weekly wrote that Saab had told them 5 hours unrefueled maritime reconnaissance mission with the Gripen N.
That's not bad... (2 hours better than Typhoon with 3 ext tanks)
Last edited by signatory; 04-26-2007 at 12:31 PM.
Comments on number of F16 crashes in Norway here:
http://www.milforum.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5794
14 crashes since 1980...
Interesting link baalsrud. F-16.net got more detailed info.
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Happy 70th Birthday Svenska Aeroplan AB
Today all Saab offices worldwide feast on cakes
On September 1 there will be a special air show organised by Saab.
Heritage
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