Gripen News Thread

[Walker-69]

Source: www.janes.com

The next 18 months will see Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania and Switzerland make final selections for their respective fighter procurement competitions, with sales of up to 523 aircraft worth at least USD35 billion-USD40 billion at stake.
It will be a truly crucial period in shaping the future of the global fighter market.

The common link between these eight contests is the presence of the Saab Gripen in the bidding process. So far the Gripen's success in the export market has been limited, with contracts for 60 aircraft in place across the Czech Republic (14), Hungary (14), South Africa (26) and Thailand (6). Saab hopes, and Jane's Defence Forecasts believes, that the next 18 months may see this number increase significantly.

Competition is fierce to fill these eight national requirements, with the following among the Gripen's competitors in the various contests: Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; Dassault's Rafale; the Eurofighter Typhoon; Lockheed Martin's F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II; and RAC MiG's MiG-35.

Jane's believes the Gripen team has reasons for optimism, however.

First of all, in terms of the aircraft's capability, Saab is offering its enhanced Gripen NG (Next Generation) variant for the Brazilian, Danish, Dutch, Indian and Norwegian requirements, which incorporates a number of significant improvements over the baseline Gripen C/D. These enhancements include: an active electronically scanned array radar developed in conjunctionwith Thales (due to begin flight testing in 2009); General Electric F-414G engines, which provide increased thrust and maximum take-off weight; additional weapons stores; enhanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities; and increased range.

These new capabilities are currently being developed through the Gripen Demonstrator programme, which was approved by Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in October 2007 and unveiled the following April. According to Saab, further enhancements will be rolled out in three-year increments, to enable continuous development of the platform over the life of the programme and removing the need for comprehensive and expensive mid-life upgrade programmes. Development and incorporation of specific customer-funded requirements is also envisaged as part of a 50-year programme plan.

While currently in the developmental stage, the Gripen NG programme would be accelerated in the event of a contract win and the aircraft would be available to enter service from 2014.

With regard to cost, the Gripen NG is viewed by Jane's as competitive in terms of both acquisition and through-life support costs when compared to its rivals. Bob Kemp, sales and marketing director for Gripen International, citing figures produced for the Dutch fighter contest, said Saab believes that the Gripen NG, as part of an 85-aircraft fleet, would cost EUR6 billion (USD7.6 billion) less than the F-35 in terms of life-cycle costs over a 30-year period.

At a unit cost of between USD50 million andUSD60 million, the Gripen also offers the lowest-cost platform in terms of acquisition expenditure. By comparison, according to Fiscal Year 2009 US Air Force (USAF) and US Navy (USN) budgetary documentation, the unit costs of the F-35 and F/A-18E/F are USD83.1 million and USD82.7 million respectively.

Unsurprisingly in such a competitive market, each of the contenders in these fighter contests has its strengths and weaknesses and much will depend on the specific circumstances, priorities and requirements of the customer nations. As such, some contests are better suited to the Gripen proposal than others, particularly in Europe.


Image: The Gripen NG programme is currently in the developmental stage (Gripen International)
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© 2008 Jane's Information Group

End of non-subscriber extract

[signatory]

In the Netherlands...


State Secretary of Defence Jack De Vries

GI's Bob Kemp is hitting out at the Dutch State Secretary for Defence Jack De Vries who last week answered the parliamentarian under house why a requirement [on manufacturers] to provide noise data on candidate jets had been removed from the new questionnaire issued in the summer 2008. The issue stemmed from media reports on JSF being twice as loud as F-15 and if the other options (F-16ADV and Gripen NG) would be any different.

De Vries said there was no point in asking about noise since Saab didn't even know what engine to use on their jet. De Vries continued to say there was also no point in looking at capability simulations on the Gripen NG. On the other hand De Vries (who before doing anything else really should find a new haircut...) did push for a quick procurement of a JSF IO test aircraft (Italy otoh just cancelled their plans) contrary to calls for a delayed procurement while the country can investigate aternative routes in more detail.

Bob Kemp indicates Gripen is about to side with Dassault and Eurofighter on the Dutch issue and withdraw.

In a comment, the Dutch MOD confirms in not as many words that the State Secretary of Defence was wrong in his comments to parliament. The defense ministry claims De Vries had no knowledge of the submitted answers.

That apparently didn't stop him from talking anyway.


Saab's June 20th answer to the questionnaire.

Sources in Dutch:

Saab: Defensie verdraait feit

Uitgebreide reactie Defensie op klacht Saab

Document - Antwoorden Saab aan Defensie over motor (.pdf)


GE-F414 equipped Gripen Next Generation Demonstrator FF 27-05-2008.

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[signatory]

http://www.211squadron.cz

Some preview photos of 211's Calendar... find more previews and info on the link.





Calendar News

Those Czech girls are truly patriotic

[Skyman]

^
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Ummmm .... they got a fighter shortage problem right? After seeing these photos I think they can hire me.

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Gripen on Static Display in Thailand

On 4 Nov 2008, Royal Thai Air Force conducted an annual weapon competition on Kon Kaen, Northeastern Thailand. As always the opening day was opened for press and public.

RTAF is the 6th Gripen customer so that day Gripen was on static display. Sad that Gripen didn't give us an aerial performance.

...
...
...

Back to the real thing.

Normally, RTAF uses scale model to design new painting of their aircraft. For example, If you go to RTAF museum you will see many scale models of F-16, those models were the F-16 of different painting made when they designed the Falcon color. So seeing Gripen model from RTAF can give us some clues how Thai Gripen will be looked like.





SRT is from SuRat Tani Air Base. Gripen will be put in Wing7.



compare with the cuurent F-5E in the same sqn.



Some more photo of this competition here.

[Caprice]

GI's Bob Kemp is hitting out at the Dutch State Secretary for Defence Jack De Vries who last week answered the parliamentarian under house why a requirement [on manufacturers] to provide noise data on candidate jets had been removed from the new questionnaire issued in the summer 2008. The issue stemmed from media reports on JSF being twice as loud as F-15 and if the other options (F-16ADV and Gripen NG) would be any different.

De Vries said there was no point in asking about noise since Saab didn't even know what engine to use on their jet. De Vries continued to say there was also no point in looking at capability simulations on the Gripen NG. On the other hand De Vries (who before doing anything else really should find a new haircut...) did push for a quick procurement of a JSF IO test aircraft (Italy otoh just cancelled their plans) contrary to calls for a delayed procurement while the country can investigate aternative routes in more detail.

Signatory, apparently there have been a motion submitted on the noise issue (plus 6 other also related to JSF). Voting should have happened on Nov 4th but was postponed to Nov 10th at the request of SP(second link below):

motion filed by Van Velzen (SP):
The Court, after hearing the debate, whereas in the questionnaire as in 1999 is presented to producers of the various candidates for the replacement of the F-16 explicitly stated that noise is crucial in a densely populated country like the Netherlands; Calls upon the Government, in the current candidates compared the noise level of the candidate as important criterion to take "

http://translate.google.com/translat...hl=en&ie=UTF-8
http://translate.google.com/translat...hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(Translated)

Doubt that it would change anything though, maybe a "Gripen" result in the next election.... Anyhow, this "competition" looks more and more like a farse.

Regards C.

[gvg]

On the Dutch MoD website there is now a letter to Parliament about the engine of the Gripen NG.

In short it says that information about the engine the NG will have, had indeed been submitted by SAAB, but that the State Secretary didn't know that because he doesn't get the answers to the questionnaire, to avoid him being able to influence the selection proces [he knows the AF can handle that themselves ). Saab has now been contacted to provide additional information about the noise-production of the F414G in the Gripen NG.

[signatory]

Thanks gvg.
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Get A Grip



At least that's what the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi) again suggested at the Future Combat Aircraft seminar last week at the Polytechnic Society that was visited by some top guys.

Some points as to why:


Torbjørn Svensgård (FSi)

Saab has found 220 partners in Norway and signed 110 MoUs while LM who was represented at the meeting by Tom Burbage is focusing on 4 partners. Defence Chief Sverre Diesen talked about the importance of modern multirole jets not only for a air defense but also for supporting the navy and army which means it's vital to come to a decision soon so the F-16s can be phased out around 2015 and not create any capability gaps.


Hans Rosén of Gripen International.



Saab has a modest ambition to grab 10% of the accessable fighter market in the next 10-15 years on top of the 60 jets so far. The most recent sale was of course to Thailand in February and helped the aeronautics division to see an increase of sales with 15% for the first 9 months while LM's at the same time declined by 7%.

It has been a couple of years with small orders for the industry as a whole but now the replacement phase is about to pick up and there's probably going to be a slice of the cake for everyone...

Hope to win some.

Expect to lose some.

Source

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Romania.

F16 and Gripen – authorities’ choice of multi-role aircraft
published in issue 4309 page 5 at 2008-11-11

After the Defence Minister announced in a ‘Evenimenul Zilei’ interview earlier that Romania will acquire multi-role planes without a tender, but via dialogue with the five competitors, yesterday’s issue of that same daily contained the news of the Premier having okayed by secret memo two aircraft alternatives – F16, by Lockheed Martin, and the Swedish SAAB-made Gripen. According to the memorandum drafted by the Ministry of Defence late last year and approved by the Prime Minister last September, ‘the aircraft F16 C/D and JAS 39 Grippen have the best cost/performance ratio and require average acquisition prices.

Both planes are modern, fourth-generation aircraft, well equipped and armed, with the F16 having a major advantage in terms of its efficiency proven in current theatres of operations and inter-operability.’ The analysis also hints the F35 JSF, the jewel in the aviation crown, a fifth-generation jet fighter also manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is the actual target of authorities in Bucharest. What makes it even more attractive is the operating and maintenance costs being 30 per cent lower than F16’s. The only problem is F35 will only be available on the market in 2020. ‘The Defence Ministry puts forth for approval the final alternative regarding the procurement of F35 FSF 5th-generation multi-role jet fighters. Romania was notified it might be eligible for purchasing the F35 JSF aircraft in 2016, with its actual operation from 2020, according to letter 110/12.09.2007 addressed to Romania’s Prime Minister and the US ambassador in Bucharest,’ the memorandum shows.

In a reply to the memorandum issue, the Ministry of Defence spokeswoman, Andreea Dumitru, said ‘such evaluations by ministry experts are periodical.’

‘The final choice over the acquiring of the multi-role plane rests with Minister Melescanu, of the competitive dialogue wherein all the five manufacturers of such military equipment stand an equal chance,’ EVZ quoted Andreea Dumitru as saying.

In an interview published a few days ago, the Defence Minister said he showed no preference for any of the manufacturers involved. ‘I have no preference. I only want an aircraft able to make me rest assured procurement procedures are transparent and competitive, and notably, without the fear I will someday watch TV and see a pilot falling down due to technical malfunction.’

link

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Sweden

Hagshult Base


Field exercise 2003

Good news that Hagshult base is more active. This Tuesday two Gripens from F 17 and a rescue helicopter used the base.

Sweden has besides the more well known short tracks on roads a type of side base that functionally is kind of like a stripped down base or permanent FOB. Even if it looks more empty than a North Korean buffet table there's more to it than meets the eye. Re-arming and hot refueling being especially useful tasks for Gripens on the base.

Located in the south between F 7 and F 17 this was the first Base 90 concept base with a main runway that can also be used for large A/C such as C-130s and another 3 slim short tracks for the Gripens. Flight activities dates back to 1936 though and is a true field base as you can see by these pics.



source

[Skyman]

Oh anyway, I just read the official memorial book of former commander-in-cheif of Royal Thai Air Force ACM Chalit who retired now. He said RTAF will put MLU upgrade on its F-16 and buy LITENING AT pod for its MLUed F-16. Maybe they will equip the Thai Gripen with this pod also.

...... and I still wait for more information whether Thai RBS-15F will have and land attack capability or not. They said they will sign a separate contact for RBS-15F. Maybe just wait for press release.

Lastly, can anyone tell the Saab about this. When RTAF bought F-16 around 20 years ago, USAF sent their F-16 to fly in Children's Day. Saab should do the same. RTAF Children's Day Air Show is the big event in Thailand and around a hundred thousand people come to visit. It's on 2nd Saturday of January. 2008 show is good. Many people come and asked RTAF officer about its Gripen and they seem to happy with the answer but ....... no Gripen there ...... I do not expect the real Gripen to fly this year because RTAF still didn't sign the contact yet in January. But next year on 10 Jan 2009 they should at least set up some Gripen pavilion there. Sending the jet is not that important bacause it can take you much money concerning today's economic crisis but to set up some pavilion is cheap. Send Gripen and Erieye mock up via FedEx, put some officer there, distribute some brochure, play some movie, etc. ..... Saab used to do this in Thailand when they still marketing its jet so this time they should continue it. .... because I feel pity when the people ask where is Gripen and RTAF officer don't have it.

[signatory]

@Skyman, I'll PM you....

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Aero India 2009 in February, exhibit map... Saab in between Israelis and Russians

[signatory]

Norwegian Opinion Poll



Norstat poll conducted for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK out today showing preferences towards either jet.

Not that it matters all that much as politicians usually don't listen to commoners but perhaps still a bit surprising how low the dedicated JSF support is 'on the street' considering their long history of flying US jets.

NRK Link

English link

link

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ELMIA



At Elmia the largest Nordic subcontractor trade fair going on right now the potential sale of Gripens to Denmark is at the center of discussions.

Article in Swedish

[Herman the II]

Netherlands to keep schedule on JSF test order


Dutch undersecretary of defence Jack de Vries has ruled out postponing the nation's planned first order for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, saying the step would lead to unacceptable delays in the project's initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase.

Full details of the evaluation process will be released to parliamentarians by 15 December, just over two months before the deadline for the Netherlands to order F-35s for IOT&E purposes. But as Saab was only invited to re-enter the competition in mid-2008, the Swedish manufacturer will not be able to demonstrate the capabilities of its Gripen NG system until a simulator has been prepared by March 2009.

full story:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...est-order.html


Seems Jack De Vries wants the F35 despite all odds. Not really what I call a fair evaluation, time to leave the sinking ship...

[Stallone]

That is a sad SAAB contingent, in 2007 they had a whole building for themseleves, maybe they got wind, they are not going to win this one!!

[xav]

Was Gripen ever a serious option for Netherland?

[Briggs]

full story:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...est-order.html


Seems Jack De Vries wants the F35 despite all odds. Not really what I call a fair evaluation, time to leave the sinking ship...

To my knowledge he pleaded that parliament didn't vote on motions which would delay the acquisition of IOT&E aircraft untill a final decision to purchase the F-16 successor was made. He said that the evaluation will be completed before or by the christmas recess and that the parliamentarians will have 2 months go to through the evaluation before the decision to contract the IOT&E JSF's has to fall.

[signatory]

Robert Wall at Aviation Week wrote a long article about Gripen

It's far from perfect but a couple of new maybe's is mentioned such as:

The HMD selected for F-35 might also be used on Gripen.



VSI Web: F-35 HMDS - JSF Helmet Mounted Display System

Additional Reading: VSI demonstrates 9G-stable helmet mounted display.

Another maybe is Sagems very cool AASM a stand off precision land attack weapon.

Armament Air-Sol Modulaire

To come in different sizes the small 125Kg version would compete against the SDB and SDB-II of either Boeing or LM but the AASM is to be available in also 250 Kg, 500 Kg and 1000 Kg versions. The guidance and tail-kit of the 250Kg can for instance use standard MK82 dumb bombs as the bomb unit.

Read More on Wiki about AASM

The text also says Version 20 of the Gripen could include L-3 Communications Rover close-air-support imagery data link.

Some additional pics that might be useful if you read the article:





Sheets from Gripen Demo roll-out.