Imported Single Engine Fighter Jet Contest

[sorcerer]

Whats this GRIPEN E?
Gripen E Multirole Fighter Aircraft, Switzerland

Gripen E is an enhanced version of the Gripen C/D multi-role aircraft. The new fighter aircraft, whose initial delivery is scheduled for 2018, will replace the Swiss Air Force's fleet of Northrop F-5E/F Tiger. Saab performs modifications and related construction works for Gripen E by using components supplied by Swiss companies.

Saab started construction of the pre-production Gripen E test aircraft, designated as 39-8, in July 2013. Initial construction works involve assembly of the aircraft's front fuselage, while the payload mounting works are carried out by RAUG.

New components being integrated with the Gripen E were tested and proved in the Gripen 39-7 E/F demonstrator programme, with the test aircraft having flown for more than 250 hours in Sweden, the UK, India and Switzerland since 2008. The testing of the Gripen E is being overseen by Armasuisse.

A Gripen E aircraft fitted with new sensor IRST (Infra Red Search and Track) completed its maiden flight in April 2014. The first test aircraft was rolled out in May 2016.

Gripen E design details
The Gripen E has an overall length of 15.2m, wingspan of 8.6m, and maximum takeoff weight of 16,500kg. The maximum speed of the aircraft is Mach 2 at high-altitude, while the speed at low -altitude is 1,400km/h.

The one seater aircraft features ten pylon stations, which enable it to carry reconnaissance pods, weapons and external fuel tanks. Its turnaround time is ten minutes in air-to-air configuration and 20 minutes, while carrying weapons for air-to-ground combat.

The aircraft's internal fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 3.4t are approximately 40% larger than those of its former version. The increased volume is made possible by moving the landing gear from the fuselage of the aircraft out to the inner wings.

Cockpit
The Gripen E features a digital cockpit with three large multi-functional displays (MFD) including a few 3D screens. The cockpit also features a hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) which provides superior situational awareness for the pilot.

Weapons carried on the Gripen E
The air-to-air missiles on the Gripen E include infrared-guided short range IRIS-T missile, and the Meteor missile, which is a beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). The aircraft also has the flexibility to be fitted with Sidewinder and A-Darter missiles to replace the IRIS-T, and the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) missile to replace the Meteor. It can further be fitted with long range weapons such as R-Darter and Derby, and short-range weapons such as ASRAAM and Python.

The Gripen E can also be integrated with a number of air-to-surface weapons including unguided Mk82, Mk83 and Mk84 bombs, laser-guided bombs such as GBU-12, GBU-16 and GBU-10, and advanced bombs such as GBU-49 and GBU-39. Air-to-surface missiles such as RBS15F ER, TAURUS KEPD 350, AGM-65 Maverick, and MBDA's dual-mode Brimstone (DMB) can also be integrated into the Gripen E.

The aircraft features a 27mm all-purpose Mauser BK27 high velocity gun providing both air-to-air and air-to-surface attack capability. It is also equipped with a missile approach warning (MAW) system and is capable of carrying more chaff packets and flares compared with similar aircraft, enhancing its survivability.

Gripen E's radars, sensors and communication systems
The Gripen E features Selex's ES-05 Raven active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system. Fitted on a swashplate at the nose of the aircraft, the radar provides an angular field of view of 100° and look behind capability.

The passive Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor system fitted to the aircraft is the Skyward G supplied by Selex. It is also mounted on the nose of the aircraft and does not emit signals. The aircraft is further fitted with a passively listening advanced electronic warfare (EW) system.

Rafael's Litening III Laser Designation Pod (LDP) is fitted to the aircraft for attacking ground targets using laser-guided bombs. The LDP also integrates a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

The Gripen E can be optionally fitted with different pod systems, including Saab's own Modular Reconnaissance Pod System (MRPS), Rafael's Reccelite and Thales' digital joint reconnaissance pod (DJRP).

The aircraft can be fitted with regular radios, Havequick/SATURN frequency hopping secure radio, long-distance satellite communication systems, including the Link 16 for wide-area command and control (C2), which is compatible with FLORAKO radar system.

It is also fitted with a ground data link called ROVER, which provides communication to a Forward Air Controller (FAC) or Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) on the ground.

GE F414G engine for Gripen E
The Gripen E is driven by General Electric's (GE) F414G turbofan engine rated at 22,000lb (98kN). It features a new high-pressure turbine and a new six-stage, high-pressure compressor.

GE was awarded a $250m contract by the Government of Switzerland in December 2011 to supply the engines for the Gripen E. The aircraft's engine and design enable it to fly at supersonic speed without using an afterburner, saving more fuel and enabling it to stay in the air longer.

"The aircraft's engine and design enable it to fly at supersonic speed without using an afterburner."
Gripen E orders and deliveries
Orders for the new generation aircraft for Sweden are based on the initial agreements signed between Saab and Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in February and March 2012. The agreement calls for the modification of 60 Gripen C aircraft to Gripen E configuration for Sweden from 2013 to 2026. Three development orders under the agreement have been made by 2013.

The total value of the orders under the agreement is estimated to be SEK47.2bn ($7.4bn).A framework agreement was signed in August 2012 between the Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency (FXM) and Armasuisse. Switzerland has an option to procure 22 Gripen E aircraft to be delivered between 2018 and 2021 under the agreement.

Both chambers of the Swiss Parliament,National Council (Nationalrat) and Council of States (Ständerat), won majority approvals from its members for the procurement of Gripen E in August 2013 and September 2013, respectively. In December 2014, FMV placed a $50m development order with Saab for Gripen E aircraft.

Saab received an approximately $800m order from FMV to provide role equipment, support and maintenance equipment for Gripen E aircraft, in October 2014.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/gripen-e-multirole-fighter-aircraft/

Why why why???????

 

[WolfPack86]

India, US To Develop Joint Jet Engine Under 'Make In India' Initiative

The US has connected the joint jet engine development project with India to a proposal to manufacture the US combat aircraft under ‘Make In India Initiative’.
Pentagon has discussed all the options, including sharing of high-end weapons, radar and power plant technology during recent Indian defense minister’s visit, The economics Times reported Wednesday.
Now India can formally evaluate the two US proposals from Boeing and Lockheed Martin to make Jets in India with the US giving written assurance for transfer of technology.
Further, from recent initiatives, it is learned that the offer from the US Boeing is to set up a new world-class production facility in India that would cater to the production of futuristic combat aircraft.
Lockheed Martin also proposes to shift its F 16 fighter line production from the US state of Texas to India as the only production facility in the world.
The offers from US defense companies have turned up following the recent defense minister’s announcement that the country is interested in setting up two production line in India for the one or two fighter jets as soon as possible.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/09/india-us-to-develop-joint-jet-engine.html

 

[WolfPack86]

US Air Force: Tech Transfer Issues Key to F-16 Production Line Move to India

WASHINGTON — The issue of technology transfer is likely to be the sticking point on whether the US government sanctions the potential move of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 production line to India, the US Air Force’s top civilian said Wednesday.
Fresh off an August trip to the Asia-Pacific region with stops at India, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines, US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told reporters she discussed the possible sales of F-16s and Navy F/A-18s with Indian defense officials to help promote the US defense industry and further military cooperation between the two nations. Both Lockheed and Boeing, which produces the F/A-18, have proposed moving production to India in the hopes of attracting new sales of two fighter jets whose days are numbered.
James said her discussions with Indian Secretary of Defense Production Ashok Kumar Gupta, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa did not go into the details of the industry proposals. However, the talks did touch on technology transfer issues, something that she said was seen as crucial for finalizing a possible deal.
“Obviously technology transfer is something that India is really, really hoping for [and] looking for,” she said. “So how much we're able to work through will probably be a key determinant.
“And also I think a key determinant in what India ultimately ends up doing will relate to the Make in India part — how many jobs, what sorts of technologies might transfer,” she said, referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s effort to expand the country’s manufacturing sector.
Boeing and Lockheed have made buying fighter jets a condition of any possible deal to move production to India. The country is also considering other fighter jets, such as Saab’s Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Notably, James said Indian officials did not express interest in the US Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-35, which has amassed 10 international customers so far.
She added that she did not expect India to come to a decision for at least a year.
Given the age of the aircraft and the focus on selling the F-35, it makes sense that Lockheed would be willing to move its production line in exchange for one last big sale, said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with the Teal Group. However, the Indian government has been continuously indecisive, making a deal unlikely, he said.
“On the US side, it could be a tech transfer issue” that keeps a deal from happening, “but I doubt it,” he said. “I think in the US, they’ve realized that this stuff is not exactly F-22 territory. The bigger issue is just Indian contracting uncertainty.”
Outsourcing elements of production, or even creating a separate line, is not a novel move, he said. In the past Lockheed has established such agreements with F-16 customers such as Turkey, South Korea and, most ambitiously, with Japan’s F-2 — an F-16 derivative that split manufacturing between Lockheed and Mitsubishi.
Although current F-16 deliveries end in 2017, the company believes it will be able to net further foreign sales to sustain the production line until 2021, Randy Howard, Lockheed’s director of F-16 business development, said in an emailed response.
Asked whether moving the production line would become prohibitively expensive after that point, Howard said Lockheed was confident it would be able to set up a line in India when given the go-ahead, although the timeline would depend “on a number of factors.”
Negotiations with the US and Indian governments are ongoing, but if a deal is reached, Lockheed may also be willing to expand Indian companies’ participation in the program at a supplier level, he said.
“Under our current proposal, Lockheed Martin is offering India the exclusive opportunity to produce, operate and export F-16 Block 70 aircraft,” he said. “We also foresee significant Indian participation in the F-16 supply chain based on Indian industry’s capacity to offer best-value F-16 supply chain options.”
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/09/us-air-force-tech-transfer-issues-key.html

 

[Scarface]

Pentagon has discussed all the options, including sharing of high-end weapons, radar and power plant technology during recent Indian defense minister’s visit, The economics Times reported Wednesday.

US Air Force: Tech Transfer Issues Key to F-16 Production

Why the conflicting reports on Tech transfer,by the way I've read the economic times article being referred in the first quote,it also mentions the fact that the Pentagon has given India a written assurance on Technology transfer,sounds like "Top Air Force Civilian"(what does that even mean) is out of the loop


Also the lack of interest in F-35 is really disheartening

 

[WolfPack86]

In Sweden, Parrikar To Negotiate Gripen Deal

New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar may look for buying Gripen fighter aircraft during his trip to Sweden later this month in what could be the first major defence deal with the country since after a 1987 Bofors gun purchase bombed with the kickback charges that brought down Rajiv Gandhi government.
Gripen deal looks attracting since its makers, Swedish firm Saab, have proposed to set up capabilities in India to make the aircraft in India and further extend technological cooperation in developing a Mark II version of the Tejas light combat aircraft.
Only in June, Indian Air Force chief Marshal Arup Raha was in Sweden on a 5-day tour when he flew in a version of the single-engine Gripen fighter during his visit. The Gripen prospects also brighten since Parrikar had said in the past that the government would take a decision on a new line of fighter aircraft by the end of the current fiscal.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/09/in-sweden-parrikar-to-negotiate-gripen.html

 

[WolfPack86]

India Keeps Every One Guessing On Combat Aircraft Manufacturing Project
India has to choose among the F-18, Rafale, Eurofighter and Gripen to be manufactured locally to meet the existing requirements of the Indian Air Force.
India has left everyone guessing in regards to who it will choose to manufacture a new fleet of combat aircraft for its air force. Though it is evident that the government is in talks with Sweden’s SAAB, France’s Dassault Aviation, and Boeing and Lockheed Martin of the US, it has not given any indications as to which of the contenders would be bagging the contract.
During Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent visit to the US, Boeing and Lockheed Martin made official proposals to manufacture F/A-18 and F-16 respectively under the ‘Make in India’ campaign, triggering speculations in favor of the US. But Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar’s upcoming visit to Linkoping of Sweden to inspect the production facility of SAAB where Gripen fighter jets are produced indicates that India is equally interested in Gripen.
According to Defense Ministry sources, Parrikar is likely to visit Sweden this month. Earlier in June this year, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha inspected the SAAB production facility in Linkoping.
SAAB has offered to develop, manufacture and undertake the final assembly of its Gripen E fighter jet in India with actual Transfer of Technology under the Make in India project. This would be a big relief for SAAB as India has not signed any major deal with the Swedish firm after a political storm triggered by allegations of corruption in the purchase of Bofors howitzers in 1987.
Recently, India rejected SAAB’s offer to set up a production line under 'Make in India' and to supply the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas MK1A.
In an interview to All India Radio in May this year, Manohar Parrikar said, “India will select a good fighter by the end of this financial year to be made domestically. It is not yet decided which aircraft it would be. It may be F-18, Rafale, Eurofighter or Gripen. The decision in this regard will be taken in this financial year.”
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/09/india-keeps-everyone-guessing-on-combat.html

 

[Hari Sud]

Wolfpack

Too many F-16 photos!

Switch to F-18 or Gripen photos.

 

[WolfPack86]

Wolfpack

Too many F-16 photos!

Switch to F-18 or Gripen photos.

Okay I got the message i will switch to F-18 or Gripen photos

 

[Bahamut]

India's Defence Minister is negotiating Gripen Fighter deal in Sweden

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Saturday, September 10, 2016
By: Free Press Journal

Source Link: CLICK HERE

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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar may look for buying Gripen fighter aircraft during his trip to Sweden later this month in what could be the first major defence deal with the country since after a 1987 Bofors gun purchase bombed with the kickback charges that brought down Rajiv Gandhi government.

Gripen deal looks attracting since its makers, Swedish firm Saab, have proposed to set up capabilities in India to make the aircraft in India and further extend technological cooperation in developing a Mark II version of the Tejas light combat aircraft.

Only in June, Indian Air Force chief Marshal Arup Raha was in Sweden on a 5-day tour when he flew in a version of the single-engine Gripen fighter during his visit. The Gripen prospects also brighten since Parrikar had said in the past that the government would take a decision on a new line of fighter aircraft by the end of the current fiscal.

Sweden and Saab are pitching the Gripen E for the Indian Air Force requirement of fighter aircraft since after no aircraft passed the trials conducted for buying 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft. They included Saab’s Gripen C/D and versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon of the US Lockheed Martin and the F/A-E/F Super Hornet of US Boeing. Unlike the Gripen C/D variant that was fielded in the trials in India, the Gripen E has a wider undercarriage that fold into its double-delta wings (and not its fuselage).

The defence ministry sources said with a wider and deeper understanding with the US in recent weeks – as exemplified by the Lemoa – the possibility of acquiring weapons platforms with US-origin equipment has brightened. The Gripen E is powered by US-origin GE-414 engines.

 

[sachin458377]

Its not bad if we get on cheap pricing plus with tot and commitment for AMCA

 

[WolfPack86]

India Keeps Everyone Guessing On Combat Aircraft Manufacturing Project

 

[Bahamut]

The Gripen NG (JAS-39E/F)
By Richard Shimooka

This article was originally published in the May issue of Canadian Skies Magazine.

The SAAB AG Gripen is considered a versatile multi-role fighter, providing a low cost alternative to other major Western designs. It is currently under development, with two customers: Switzerland and Sweden for a total of 82 fighters currently planned. The program has already been beset by cutbacks: the Swedish parliament has reduced the number of planned purchases from 80–100 aircraft to 60. Moreover at the time of this article’s publication, the Swiss parliament has suspended its air force’s purchase. If the project goes forward, initial deliveries are planned for 2018.

Capabilities

The Gripen NG is currently in the initial development stages, after Riksdagen (Swedish Parliament) approved the purchase of 60 aircraft. The original Gripen A/B was intended to be a lightweight replacement for two other Saab fighters, the Draken and Viggen. It was a light, agile aircraft, with impressive performance features. In particular, it had an exceptional short range take-off ability, so that it could operate from unprepared road surfaces in Sweden. It was also extremely affordable, both to procure and operate. The Jas-39A/B/C/D was a moderate export success, with 240produced between 1993 and 2012.

The JAS-39 E/F builds on the original Gripen, much like how the F/A-18E Super Hornet is an updated and enlarged version of the F/A-18C Hornet. Ironically, it follows the same engine evolution: the Gripen A/C employs an modified GEF404 engine (currently on the F/A-18C), while the Gripen E/F has an GE 414 engine (currently used by the F/A-18E/F). Overall the project attempted to leverage existing technologies or proven suppliers where possible, in order to decrease the development risks facing the program.

Overall the Gripen NG should offer a versatile set of capabilities to Canada. Its AESA radar and other sensors will provide good situational awareness, which can be augmented with external sensor pods. The Gripen will have significant organic sensor fusion capabilities, and be able to integrate with NATO operations through the Link-16 datalink. The GripenNG will also be equipped with a Saab proprietary data link that allows for effective battlefield networking between most Swedish-built military aircraft. However it is not available on any other aircraft, limiting its interoperability to other buyers of Saab products.

JAS-39E/F’s aerodynamic performance should roughly resemble that of its predecessor, but with some differences. Saabclaims the Gripen NG’s long-range air-to-air combat radius to be 700nm with a 30 minute loiter period. However it can only be achieved by loading the aircraft with large fuel tanks, significantly degrading other aspects of flight performance. A Swiss air force evaluation suggested the Gripen NG could remain aloft for only 66% of the Eurofighter’s and Rafale’s time in the air with a representative combat load for air policing.

The Gripen NG’s largest deficiency is its ability to undertake operations in denied airspace. The aircraft has only a few low observable features, which will leave it vulnerable to newer generations of air defence systems. Its combat capabilities, including electronic countermeasures and weapon capabilities, are unlikely to exceed that of the F/A-18E/F given that aircraft’s continual spiral development process. Efforts to keep the Gripen combat capable will also face significant challenges. With no traditional allies planning to adopt the type, Canada may have to shoulder the entire cost and risk of any unique upgrade deemed essential for maintaining its combat effectiveness. Moreover, as noted above, any appreciable weapon capacity must be carried externally, decreasing range and aerodynamic performance. These factors led Saab AB representatives to suggest that Canada consider a joint purchase of F-35s and Gripens. The former would be used mostly for expeditionary warfare, with the latter dedicated to responding to domestic contingencies and operations in less contested airspace.

Cost and industrial competition

Unfortunately the Gripen suffers from a problem shared by many western fighters: an inefficient production scale. With only two confirmed clients and relatively small orders, Saab cannot create manufacturing learning curves or economies of scale that would drive down costs. Moreover the NG is in a very early stage of development, with over 70% of the aircraft’s systems requiring development from the Gripen C. Consequently there is significant discrepancy in the projected flyaway and operational costs. Saab AB has suggested the aircraft’s costs will be approximately USD $80million (2012 dollars), but the Swiss government’s fixed cost is approximately $105 million. Similarly operational costs has been touted by as an area where the Gripen NG may offer a strong competitive advantage due to Saab’s risk adverse development approach. Yet while the manufacturer has claimed the operational cost as USD $10,000, the Swiss military has pegged the cost at approximately $21,000.

Saab AB has in the past has reinvested up to 120% of a contract value into a country as part of an offset package. In addition it offered to provide complete technology transfer and the option to establish production lines in Canada. However the latter two are of limited value for Canada. Domestic production will drive up the per-unit costs, as a Canadian line would only manufacture aircraft for the RCAF and never really achieve efficiencies that the Swedish line would. Moreover, technology transfers are unlikely to substantively benefit Canadian industries, as much of the research is only valuable in relation to the Gripen program. It may have some advantages for the RCAF’s ability to maintain and upgrade the aircraft indigenously.

Any direct industrial opportunities on the fighter will likely be limited to the aircraft purchased by the RCAF. Thus most of the offsets will be indirect in nature, with investment made on projects unrelated to the Gripen’s procurement. Unfortunately Saab AB has a relatively small industrial relationship with Canadian companies. Thus it will find difficulty meeting its offset commitment, almost certainly resulting in a lower quality of industrial benefits that are not sustainable for Canadian industries.

Future prospects

Saab AB has offered the Gripen NG to several states, including India, Denmark, Norway, Brazil, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It has thus far only secured two orders, Sweden and Switzerland, with the Danish competition still ongoing.RCAF deliveries would likely start after 2019 if selected, which would easily fit within DND’s planned budget programming and transition plan.

Looking ahead, the Gripen NG’s seems to have carved itself out a narrow niche as an affordable versatile lightweight fighter. However its position is under threat from new competitors in the market. First the “low” end of the fighter market is increasingly becoming competitive with new offerings from Korea and other states. Second, Gripen faces tough competition at the “high” end of the market from the Joint Strike Fighter. Given the F-35’s capability and the NG’s high cost ($80–105 million versus approximately $95–105 million for a non-partner F-35A) many potential operators may chose to go with the more expensive capability. This situation may leave Saab with fewer market prospects than it enjoyed with the original Gripen.

Conclusion

If the program is implemented and goes according to plan, the Gripen NG should provide an affordable, relatively low risk capability for the Canadian Armed Forces. Yet as successive military development programs have suggested, these estimates may not come into fruition. Moreover the Gripen NG has significant capability deficiencies, which may come as a detriment to the RCAF’s ability to undertake foreign operations in the future.

Richard Shimooka is an independent consultant and analyst with the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. Between 2007 and 2012 he was a fellow at the Defence Management Studies Programme at Queen’s University. He is also a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies. Richard has written several works that cover a diverse array of topics, including Canadian defence and foreign policy, procurement policy and organizational culture.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect those of the CDA Institute.

 

[Zebra]

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[Zebra]

Its not bad if we get on cheap pricing plus with tot and commitment for AMCA

Please watch it @ 15:15 onwards.....................


Published on Sep 2, 2016 , by Defense & Aerospace Report

 

[Zebra]

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[WolfPack86]

Saab Gripen Fighter Aircraft

 

[WolfPack86]

Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft

 

[WolfPack86]

Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft

 

[WolfPack86]

Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft

 

[WolfPack86]

Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft