IAF pilots already got a chance to fly the Gripen Demo in the first week of April at Linkoping, Sweden, but calling the Demo airplane to India was necessary to complete all the demands in the field evaluation test (FET) plan.
We are now testing all the tactical systems, such as the AESA radar and the new communications system. The test programme is very extensive, and the unusually harsh cold and snowy winter here in Sweden has challenged the programme schedule but we are now quickly catching up, says Mattias Bergström, the Gripen NG Demonstrator project manager.
We have finished, and successfully verified, the flight tests of the electro-optical Missile Approach Warning System (MAW) and the new fuel system with larger internal fuel tanks.
The Gripen NG is the next generation of the Gripen fighter, which is in service with the air forces of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa. It is also ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force and is flown by the Empire Test Pilots School, ETPS, in the UK.
Swedish King Gustav and Queen Silvia are scheduled to travel to Brazil, arriving in the next 23 days, and in between workshops and a dinner with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the real agenda includes a visit to the headquarters of Embraer in Sao José dos Campos.
Although the visit has been scheduled for some time, the Swedish businessmen celebrate the fact that the king will be in Brazil, coincidentally, at the same time it is expected the announcement that billionaire contract involves the purchase of 36 new aircraft.
In 2008 the SAAF selected the IRIS-T as an interim short range air-to-air missile. It will ultimately be replaced by the indigenously designed and produced A-Darter, which is still under development.
Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, Chief of the SAAF, said: “This missile is the state of the art high kill probability short range air missile with unrivalled performance capabilities which, when coupled to a helmet mounted display can engage air threats in the rear quarter of the aircraft as is the case with the SAAF Gripens”.
South Africa has ordered 26 Gripen state-of-the-art fighters which are modernising the SAAF’s fast jet fleet and capability. It currently operates nine dual seat Gripen D aircraft and will soon receive its first of 17 single-seat Gripen C fighters.
Improvements in self-protection, a new light attack weapon and the capacity for data communications with ground units are examples of new capabilities included in the order that FMV added Saab AB today. The order is a step in the further development of Gripen and has a total value of approximately SEK 2 billion.
FMV delivered the last Gripen aircraft to the Swedish Armed Forces over a year ago. Now the maintenance and threat adaptation in accordance with the Armed Forces operational requirements. The work aims to make it possible to operate the JAS 39 Gripen fighter concept to 2040.
IAF test pilots have already undergone intensive training on the aircraft and the aircraft have already undergone the first stage of trials in Linkoping in November 2009, which included flight performance, logistics capability, weapons systems, advanced sensors and weapons firing.
South African government’s strategic plan for defence for the next three years will see 550 hours flown by the Gripen fleet this year, but reduce to just 250 hours in 2011 and 2012.
...BAE Systems has also communicated its intention in due course to divest its remaining holding in Saab AB.
On the outside, it does not show any significant differences, but they are there. The C-version has, among other things, reinforced landing gear to withstand heavier loads. The new APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) isalso significantly less noisy than the previous A-version.
It is on the inside of the aircraft the most significant differences lies including: the screens have become larger and are now in color. The navigation system now covers the whole earth, and instead of measuring the height and speed in meters and kilometers per hour, feet and knots are now used, something that is a challenge for both pilots and air traffic control personnel.
The reason that it is 1.div that has trained on the new version is that they in turn will train the four Thai pilots coming to F7 on 1th March. Initially, however 3.div is responsible for the training, and then on the A version, until the instructor at 1.div have reached the status required for taking over the education.
In the current situation there are two 39C at F7, one of which is borrowed from F21. These will be expanded to eight (5 C, 3 D) until it is time to school the Thai pilots. A and C versions are single-seaters, while the B and D versions are two-seaters.
Flotilla simulators are also upgraded. The MMT-simulator (multi-mission trainer) was completed a week ago, and the larger FMS Simulator (full-mission simulator) will be completed this summer.
Information disseminated by the press recently states that the Air Force has a preference for the Gripen NG, which is the cheapest of the three models and offer greater participation by Brazilian industry as it is a project still under development.
SELEX Galileo is pleased to announce that Saab has selected the Infrared Search & Track (IRST) system SKYWARD-G to equip Saab’s Gripen Next Generation (NG) fighter.
IRST provides similar functionality to a radar without giving out electromagnetic radiation and can therefore provide full operational search and track functionality with a stealth capability. IRST can operate in highly cluttered environments to track single and multiple targets, and can also operate in slaved acquisition mode.
SKYWARD-G is a product of SELEX Galileo’s extensive experience in the field of infrared search and track airborne and naval systems and is the latest addition to the Company’s proven record in delivering innovative technology to customers.
The selection of the SKYWARD-G system follows the agreement signed in March 2009
between Saab and SELEX Galileo for the development of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar Raven ES-05 for the Gripen Next Generation.
SELEX Galileo is a key provider of leading edge sensors for the most advanced fighters. With the Raven ES-05 and with the IRST, the Company will be guaranteeing the full mission effectiveness of the next generation aircraft Gripen NG.
JAS-Gripen aircraft will be in the period from Wednesday through Friday aircraft together with the Norwegian F-16 aircraft during the day as part of the run-up to the event.
In this context, I also reiterated the government's support of the Swedish JAS Gripen as one of the options now valued for the Brazilian Air Force.
"The French game, if chosen, will be a defeat for the Brazilian people, because we will lose the opportunity to become sovereign and independent as a nation and as a power," says the text sent by the regional Ciesp of Sao Jose dos Campos, which brings about 60% of companies in the aerospace and defense Brazilian.
The Gripen crash outside Vidsel in Norrbotten 2007 was caused by an error to the ejection handle.
Gagiano says that both the missile-armed Gripen D and the missile and cannon-armed single-seat Gripen C fighter will be deployed to safeguard the soccer event. Nine Gripen D aircraft have already been delivered, with the first Gripen C expected to arrive within the next few days. At least four Gripen C fighters are likely to be in the country for the World Cup.
In the article today, director of the Swedish Saab in Brazil, Bengt Janer, says he is willing to offer a lower price for the Gripen NG
this missile is the state of the art high kill probability short range air missile with unrivalled performance capabilities which, when coupled to a helmet mounted display can engage air threats in the rear quarter of the aircraft as is the case with the SAAF Gripens
A decision to postpone the renewal of the Danish fleet of combat aircraft can provide both the Swedish Saab new hope and also breathing space to implement the other stores in the world....
...the Danes have the opportunity to wait and see whether other countries invest in the purchase of new Gripen to come.
The impression I got was that extensive flights are progressing with great success and that there are many indications that the Gripen NG might even be better than expected.
The planned spendings will cover the aircraft procurement, pilot training, repair and maintenance system and ground service preparations for deployment.
The IAF carried out trials on the demo aircraft at the Vidsel missile test range in Sweden last December. It will undergo trials in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh in March to test performance in diverse climates.
The air force had hoped to decommission its 12 US-made F-5 E/F fighters, in operation at the Surat Thani-based Wing 7 for 30 years, once it took commission of 12 new Gripen 39 C/D fighter jets.
...at which point it may become a decision on a suitable type to replace both the F-5 and F-18 fleets, rather than just the Tiger from 2020
Right now the first RTAF engineers are acquainting themselves with the JAS 39 Gripen - and the Swedish winter chill.
This is at odds with a government announcement also made in October that reaffirmed Switzerland's commitment to purchasing a partial replacement for the air force's 54 Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II multirole fighter fleet. Additionally, Swiss media reports on 5 January suggested that the cabinet was committed to the original timescale.
Ce n'est pas une décision exclusivement militaire
Initial focus will be on the Raven ES-05 AESA fire control radar for the Saab Gripen NG, which is competing strongly in the Brazilian Air Force new fighter programme, and on aircraft future configurations.
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