© Gripen International (Modified by Tim Bircheno-Brown)
Posted on 11/07/2006 6:18:06 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Nordic threat to JSF programme as Denmark and Norway consider Gripen, push cooperation approvals in Lockheed Martin F-35 programme into 2007
By Evan Sweetman
Danish and Norwegian approvals to continue F-35 involvement to slip into 2007, while nations consider rival bids
With the USA expecting the first international Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) partners to sign up for the Lockheed Martin F-35 production programme later this month, Denmark and Norway could be poised to delay their decisions on participation until next year.
Denmark is expected to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the production, sustainment and follow-on development (PSFD) phase, which does not commit it to buying the F-35, but may need more time to gain national political approval, say programme officials. Norway is also expected to need more time to gain approval to sign the MoU, also without committing to buy the JSF.
A Danish decision not to buy the F-35 could prompt a Gripen DK purchase
"We do not expect them to push past February or March," says JSF programme executive officer Brig Gen Charles Davis. In contrast, the Netherlands and the UK could sign the MoU early this month, he says, with the Dutch parliament already having approved continued participation (Flight International, 24-30 October).
The Turkish government is also expected to approve signature of the MoU by late November, says Turkish defence minister Vecdi Gonul.
Denmark plans to issue a request for quotations next year for the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, as well as the F-35, with a decision planned for 2009. The chosen successor to Denmark's current Lockheed F-16s will ideally be operational by 2010, Hans Rusmussen of the Royal Danish Air Force's fighter replacement branch told IQPC's Fighter conference in London late last month.
The F-35 will not be available to international customers before 2014. Norway's fighter competition, which also pits the F-35 against the Gripen and Typhoon, is already under way, with a decision expected in 2008.
Saab-led Gripen International is offering Denmark a tailored aircraft, dubbed the Gripen DK, while Eurofighter is proposing the multirole Tranche 2 Block 8 Typhoon, deliveries of which will begin to launch nations Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK late next year. Danish requirements include carriage of the Raytheon AIM-9X short-range air-to-air missile and Rafael Litening II/III targeting pod, improved situational awareness and passive and active countermeasures.
Saab last week announced a new co-operation agreement under which Danish Aerotech will receive business worth up to DKr200 million ($34.1 million) if the Gripen DK is selected to meet air force requirements. The firm will supply mechanical, electrical and electronic components for the aircraft, says Saab.
A Danish decision not to buy the F-35 could prompt a Gripen DK purchase.
© Gripen International (Modified by Tim Bircheno-Brown)
Doesn't look stealthy.
being the weak(est) link does have it's advantages for some buyers.....
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen has actually done quite well once they got their bugs out of the fly-by-wire system in the late 1990's. The plane is relatively cheap and uses very modern electronics.
Saab & BAE systems are supposedly planning to upgun it's engine for more thrust & also add conformal fuel tanks among other improvements to help it compete better with the Rafale & EF-2000 & even the JSF while remaining a cheaper option.
I'd like to know is Saab going to allow Volvo Aero to build a licensed version of the GE F414-GE-400 engine (used on the F-18E/F models) for the upgraded Gripen.
The F-414 & the EJ-200 are the 2 most likely contenders for powering an enhanced Gripen,possibly with thrust vectoring nozzles since the EF-2000 is scheduled to get those itself after 2010 or so.
Don't know about license building new engines since Sweden may not place a lot of orders for a modified aircraft anytime soon.
airplane ping.
How would you compare it to the French one?
The Gripen is cheaper than the Rafale, mostly because it uses one engine instead of two.
As far as killabililty(don't laugh) how does the Gripen compare the the F35?
A Gripen with that much ordnance aboard would have a range of about 3 nautical miles. It doesn't carry much fuel.
Much appreciated. So, quantity over quality?
Bottom line - 18,000 pounds of thrust (1/2 of an F18C as we use them, same engine in fact) limits the design of the Gripen.
Much appreciated.
The gripen is the choice of countries who never intend to use them anyways.
The variants being offered to these 2 countries-the Gripen 'N' & 'DK' will be enhanced versions as per the Gripen website-else they wouldn't stand a chance.The improvements potentially include a new engine,fuselage stretch as well as Conformal fuel tanks & an AESA radar(or a foreign system),which Ericsson is working on.These should answer many of the shortcomings the original Gripen has.
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