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  • The Gripen NG Programme

THE GRIPEN NG PROGRAMME

The Gripen NG development program was conceived by Saab back in late 2005 as an important stepping stone towards what is today known as Gripen NG (Next Generation). In this program many new fundamental systems and capabilities for Gripen NG are flight tested and demonstrated as a proof-of-concept as well as for risk mitigation reasons. These new systems and capabilities can also form the basis for further upgrades of the current Gripen C/D fleet.

In early 2006 a goal was set for a first flight during 2008. It was also decided to split the program into two phases where tactical capabilities were to be introduced after a modification in a second phase, to be able to focus on the basic a/c systems and capabilities during the first phase.

All the tactical systems were to be flight tested

The overall goal with the flight test program for the first phase of the Gripen NG development program was to get maturity on all the new basic a/c systems and the changes to the airframe as well as to expand into a sufficiently large flight envelope to operate in during the second phase of the program when all the tactical systems were to be flight tested. Another significant goal was to get as much feed-back to the ongoing Gripen NG development as possible.

The first flight with the Gripen NG Demonstrator aircraft was performed at Saab in Linköping Sweden on the 27th of May 2008. The first phase of the flight test program focused on verifying the functionality in the general aircraft systems. During that phase other important areas such as super cruise, rate of climb, turn rate, external loads and fuel consumption were tested and verified with excellent results.

In addition to the tests mentioned above, noise-, and IR-signature measurements as well as photo sessions and evaluation flights with potential customers was performed. In total, 79 flights were performed during the first phase, which is impressive by any standards.

Phase two of the flight test program

After a modification period, phase two of the flight test program began on 27th October 2009. As mentioned earlier, the main focus of the second phase was to test and verify the functionality of the tactical systems. During that phase an AESA radar, a Missile Approach Warning System, and a SATCOM system was integrated and tested with excellent results. Apart from that, flight tests with a new, larger drop tank were performed with equally good results. In total, 73 flights were performed during the second phase, including international ferry flights and flight tests during hot and high conditions.

Next step is to fly the first avionics test bed. It will take to the air early this year and include flight tests of the new avionic system including the AESA radar ES-05 Raven. The new avionic system will have an architecture where flight critical and non-flight critical functionality is separated which in turn will facilitate for faster implementations of new functionality and capabilities.

Combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package

All of these tested and verified capabilities will then be used during the ongoing development of the Gripen NG, an aircraft that is revolutionary because it combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package that no other fighter aircraft can even hope to match.

Highlights

The Gripen NG takes the tried and tested elements of the Gripen design and improves on these during the creation of a new aircraft with a more powerful General Electric F414G engine with the ability to supercruise. Its redesigned airframe operates at higher weights, allowing more fuel and weapons to be carried. A unique avionics architecture makes weapons and systems integration even easier and quicker. The NG operates with a fully-networked, fully-fused sensor and communications systems that gives it cutting edge capabilities for any mission, from close air support (CAS) to beyond visual range air-to-air combat.

The all-new Selex-Galileo ES-05 Raven AESA radar

Among the key missions systems that make Gripen NG such a formidable future fighter is its all-new Selex-Galileo ES-05 Raven AESA (active electronically scanned antenna) radar, developed in cooperation with Saab Microwave. The antenna will use a swash-plate solution giving the radar an area coverage of ± 100° This development is progressing completely according to plan.

The aircraft is equipped with a Saab Avitronics electronic warfare system that gives the NG a unique active and passive electronic attack (EA) capability – which adds the AESA to the vital EA mission. The NG is also equipped with a missile approach warning and self defence system. These systems give Gripen a self-defence system that is extremely hard to beat, in any combat situation.

In total control of the air battle

Gripen’s advanced cockpit design and sensor suite puts the pilot in total control of the air battle. The aircraft’s unmatched range of air-to-air and airto- surface precision weapons allows Gripen NG to dominate that battle against all targets on land, at sea or in the air.

A video datalink specifically designed for the CAS mission connects the NG directly to ground forces, while its air-to-air datalinks integrate the airborne force and ground control assets into an unbeatable package.

Complete freedom to modify and adapt to meet national needs

Most importantly, the complete Gripen NG system is controlled by its user, with complete freedom to modify and adapt all of its components to meet national needs, without restrictions or licensing issues. None of the technology embodied in the NG is risky or unproven. On the contrary, all features are tested and sophisticated and at the same time they represent latest futuristic technologies, which makes the Gripen NG an absolutely unique platform.

 

Photo: Katsuhiko Tokunaga

 

Gripen NG

The Gripen NG is one of the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world. The Gripen NG´s versatile multi-role capability is the key to defeating the threats to Brazil today and tomorrow. With its precision-guided weapons, the Gripen NG has the capability to attack and destroy, 24 hours a day and under any meteorological conditions. The Next Generation Avionics Architecture and state-of-the-art weapon systems, gives Gripen a lookdown/shoot-down capability to engage aircraft, missiles, and even the smallest, low-flying targets. This makes Gripen very difficult to match in any air combat situation.

Superior sensor fusion and decision support capabilities

The fully integrated avionic mission system, including the AESA radar, IRST sensor, and an advanced active and passive EW system, provides superior sensor fusion and decision support capabilities. These together with a missile approach warning system, laser warning system, towed decoys and built in jamming capability provide excellent offensive and defensive characteristics.

The outstanding agility of the Gripen NG is achieved through a combination of an advanced aerodynamic layout utilising a combined close-coupled canard delta configuration and a digital fly-by-wire system. The new, more powerful, General Electric F414 G engine not only gives Gripen supercruise but also unbeatable low life cycle cost.

Freedom of choice by avoiding sole source supply constraints

Gripen’s high operational availability, rapid turnaround and minimal support requirements lead to sustained high sortie rates and more time in the air. A wide range of state of the art weapons can be sourced from manufacturers worldwide, giving the Brazilian Air Force freedom of choice by avoiding sole source supply constraints.

Fifty-five years experience of data links in fighters

In 1957 Saab first introduced the data link in a fighter. Fifty-five years later, Saab still holds the position as the premium creator of Net Centric fighters. In the Gripen NG, a future Brazilian Air Force pilot will not just be able to take part in the future Brazilian  Defence Network – he will be a node that also makes other network participants even more effective by sharing and offering information and intelligence.

As a fighter pilot you need situation awareness to be able to achieve information superiority. Situation awareness is vital for Net Centric Warfare and execution of combat missions, but it is not the real key to success in the information-intensive battle space of the 21 st Century. It is only an enabler. With leading edge sensor and weapon suites, Gripen NG allows the warfighter not just the ability to collect information in the battle space, Gripen NG also gives the capability to process, analyse and act on the gathered information.

The most flexible multi role fighter in the market

More than 30 years of experience with airborne data links, a fully digital glass cockpit, a weapon suite second to none, makes the Gripen NG the most flexible multi role fighter in the market ready for the 21st Century battle space.


 

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