Posted on 06/20/2013 12:17:42 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
PARIS: Saab could take pilot out of Gripen, says CEO
Saab's investment in technologies linked to Europe's Neuron unmanned combat air system demonstration programme could in the future enable it to take the pilot out of its Gripen E/F fighter, believes chief executive Håkan Buskhe.
Revealing his thoughts on the prospect of adapting the in-development type for optionally piloted operations, Buskhe says: "Maybe an air force could fly with a mixed formation of Gripens - one or two manned, and the others without pilots."
"We are working with the Neuron programme, and will have flight tests at the Vidsel test range next year," Buskhe says, adding that "it's not so far to go down that road" to transfer systems to the Gripen. "Of course, it will be driven by the market, but we think this could be the future."
Referring to the costs involved in developing and fielding a small fleet of UCAS, he notes: "The logistics footprint will be too expensive if you build a totally different system for unmanned."
Asked whether Saab could join Alenia Aermacchi, Cassidian and Dassault in pursuing a future European medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air system, Buskhe says: "I'm not closing any doors." However, he notes that any such collaborative programme would hinge on the capabilities required and the likely costs involved.
Looks like an F-15, 16, 18 variant...
The only similarities are they all have a pointy nose, wings and a cockpit. All supersonic manned combat fighters will have those similarities, but beyond that the Gripen is significantly different from the 15/16/18.
Considering that Sweden has about the same population as Haiti, it is very impressive that they can produce something like this.
The Swedes are an impressive people. Recently they have totally capitulated before the muslims (they are arguably one of the most PC cultures in the world in an exceedingly pathetic manner), but when it comes to military programs they punch way above their weight. The gripen NG, advanced DE submarines, and stealth naval ships.
my bad...the F-14 - twin seat arraignment..
“Recently they have totally capitulated before the muslims”
Abd that will be thier downfall. It is a crying shame.
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