GRIPEN SUPPLEMENT | INTRODUCTION THE GRIPEN EVOLUTION Combat Aircraft presents a detailed view of the JAS 39 Gripen as this fascinating type moves into a new era with the advent of the Gripen E.

AAB HAS A proven and Combat Aircraft: ‘Life-cycle cost efficiency Above: The front was soon revised down to 204 production fascinating history in is built into the Gripen’s DNA.’ It is this cockpit of a JAS 39A/Bs. Initial deliveries started in Gripen D. The military aviation, closely fundamental concept that makes Saab’s long history 1993, with F 7 Wing at Såtenäs achieving tied to national Swedish fighter such an attractive prospect. It of datalinked initial operating capability (IOC) during requirements and often is also why Saab stresses that the next systems within September 1997. the Swedish — in the more distant past generation of Gripen will be more capable, military The announced plans — with only partial thought for the export yet less expensive than its predecessors. continues to this in 2006 to rationalize on a total strength S day, but with market. That has most definitely changed. The Gripen project was born with of 100 improved JAS 39C/D Gripens. This internationally- The Saab JAS 39 Gripen dates back to an initial Swedish Defense Materiel observed reduced the operational fleet, but at the the late 1970s and a Swedish Air Force Administration (Försvarets Materiel Verk, standards. Saab same time allowed an improvement in requirement to replace the Saab 35 FMV) development contract placed on capabilities within the smaller core. This This image: A Draken and 37 Viggen. The company has June 30, 1982, calling for five prototypes Hungarian Air was to be achieved through upgrading 31 a reputation for building intuitive fighters and an initial 30 production aircraft. The Force Gripen earlier aircraft to a new JAS 39C/D standard, with ingenious avionics systems as part first prototype made its maiden flight on gets airborne plus new-build airframes for an eventual 75 02 for a Baltic Air of indigenous projects designed to meet December 9, 1988, and was flying into a Policing (BAP) JAS 39Cs and 25 two-seat JAS 39Ds. national aspirations. While Saab initially world of geo-political change. The Berlin mission in 2015. had a strong policy of non- set out to apply much of its existing ethos Wall was about to fall, and air forces in Rich Cooper alignment and the JAS 39A/B had been to the Gripen, it decided from the outset Europe were starting to feel the pressures designed and built with the national to produce an aircraft with the future induced by the thawing of the . mission very much in mind. Today, very much in mind. In fact, if anything, There are few countries these days with Sweden is in the European Union, and the hardware was built around a plan for a fighter force of more than 100 aircraft, although it is not a full NATO member it constantly evolving software standards to but when the Gripen first flew this was works closely as a partner. Sweden has allow it to mature over time. commonplace. The Swedish Air Force operated as a fully ‘net-centric’ force since Lennart Sindahl, deputy CEO and requirement was originally set at 280 1998, although its use of key technologies senior executive vice president told Gripens to equip 16 squadrons, but this such as datalinks goes back to the Draken era of the 1960s. The move to the Gripen C/D was made with a view to international interoperability. This manifested itself in six key areas: weaponry, availability, communications, deployability, service life, and endurance. The Gripen C/D went Imperial and eliminated the use of Swedish language in the cockpit displays. It featured the common datalink

www.combataircraft.net July 2016 INTRODUCTION | GRIPEN SUPPLEMENT The move to Gripen E According to Saab, it is clear to see the path that the Gripen has followed. The Gripen A/B had a national focus, with the C/D variant having more of an international focus with NATO interoperability. Now, with the Gripen E, the emphasis is on performance, with improved sensors and a multi-functional aircraft. The Gripen E is an entirely new-build process, with no need to rely on the existing C/D airframes. This is welcome and secure voice communications being supplied to the and news for the Swedish Air Force as it will via Have Quick II radios — all . take pressure off the front-line C/D fleet changes. Sweden started participating in selected the Gripen in during the transition to the Gripen E. international exercises, and in 2011 (for November 1998 and received a total of It will also help to free up airframes for the first time in 50 years, since J 29s were 26 aircraft. has now taken on 12 potential export users. deployed on a UN mission to the Congo) new-build Gripens (as F-5 replacements) The Gripen E is in effect the MS21- the Swedish Air Force launched fighters and is likely to acquire more, its air force standard aircraft. In January 2013, for an international task in Operation having already set out a requirement the decision was taken to procure 60 ‘Unified Protector’ over Libya. for a further six jets. Meanwhile, the UK Gripen Es for the Swedish Air Force, The Gripen fleet has notched up some Empire Test Pilots’ School has leased hours with no two-seat Gripen F. Inspired impressive statistics. The Swedish Air Force in a Gripen D for its advanced jet training by an increasingly bellicose Russian has quoted a cost per flying hour for the syllabus. presence in the Baltic and elsewhere, the Gripen at SEK 48,000, which equates to Saab achieved success in appealing Swedish Defense Ministry has looked at $7,500 — including fuel. to countries with more modest defense increasing this number, although as of budgets, notably in Eastern Europe. today it remains at 60 fighters. Spiral upgrade Surplus Swedish Gripens made up the The Brazilian government’s selection The step from the Gripen A/B to the Czech order thanks to a $1-billion, 10- of the Gripen E as its next-generation C/D variant saw the re-use of major year lease deal agreed in June 2004 for fighter came on the same day that 03 components from the A/B airframes, 14 JAS 39C/Ds. Under a similar 10-year Saab received the Swedish production immediately reducing costs and the lease deal, Hungary operates 14 re- Above left: A contract for the variant. The Brazilian Air expensive flight-test burden. Obsolescence manufactured Swedish JAS 39A/Bs, which unique photo Force has an initial requirement for 36 from May 2012 is a very significant concern for modern are designated JAS 39 EBS HU. Hungary of aircraft aircraft, which will likely grow to around , regardless of where they opted for 14 JAS 39A/Bs upgraded to from all the 100. According to an official statement, are manufactured and operated. The big- C/D standard. It now operates its national customers the concluded that currently flying ticket elements for the C/D evolution were quick reaction alert with two pilots the Gripen. the Gripen was the best option from an a robust BVR (beyond visual range) and at 15-minute readiness. With a basic Saab/Jamie operational standpoint and in terms of WVR (within visual range) capability, air- weapons package of AIM-9L Sidewinder, Hunter cost. to-surface strike capability, and the option AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM, III Below: Man The advent of the Gripen E helps the for reconnaissance. Subsequent Gripen and TV-guided AGM-65 and machine Swedish Air Force realize its aspirations upgrades have been carefully planned Maverick, Hungary is seeking additional — a live-armed to counter a range of potential future Gripen on air for approximately every third year. The weapons for , which will policing alert. threats in an affordable yet highly current fleet standard is Mission System 19 likely include the GBU-39 SDB. Rich Cooper capable fighter. Jamie Hunter (MS19) and MS20 is now coming online, which adds the MBDA beyond- visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), Boeing’s GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), improved modes, a digital close air support capability, increased Link 16 connectivity, civil navigation enhancements, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection for the pilot, the SPK 39 Modular Reconnaissance Pod II, and a ground collision avoidance system (GCAS).

Export Gripen New-production aircraft have been ordered for South Africa and Thailand, with former Swedish Air Force JAS 39s

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KEY DATA

Length overall 15.2m Width overall 8.6m Basic weight empty 8,000kg Internal fuel 3,400kg Max take-o weight 16,500kg Max speed at high altitude Mach 2 Yes Max service altitude Above 52,500ft G-limits +9/-3 10

The rst Gripen E, 39-8, resplendent in full Swedish Air Force markings at the roll-out on May 18. All images courtesy of Saab

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been vocal in its opinion that it cannot accept a ghter that it can’t a ord to operate, and the Gripen E is all about ‘THE SMART FIGHTER’ rede ning how to build and operate an advanced ghter that o ers operational Combat Aircraft reports from Linköping on the roll-out of the new capabilities relevant for the future, new Gripen E — the latest evolution of the Saab JAS 39. technology, and a sensible price tag. The speed of change in the aeronautics business means the aircraft must be able S THE CURTAIN cent more fuel, it has more thrust, more to adapt fast to emerging needs without was raised on the weapons stations and a higher overall breaking the bank. Gripen E prototype weight. How do you integrate all these The Brazilian government’s selection at exactly 16.00hrs new features and still keep a balanced and of the Gripen E as its next-generation local time in Saab’s capable design — and be a ordable?’ Right: The Gripen ghter in December 2013 came on facility at Linköping, It’s a good question, and one that Saab E is externally the same day that Saab received the identi ed by ASweden, on May 18, the world saw the appears to have cracked. The Gripen E has a number of Swedish production contract. It put an West’s latest ghter for the rst time. been developed with strict considerations new features, end to more than 12 years of discussions Initial observations revealed a beefed- set by the principal customer: the Swedish including the and speculation that swirled around infra-red search up Gripen, with stockier wing roots to Air Force. Saab initially planned to launch and track turret ’s FX-2 project. The Brazilian Air accommodate additional fuel, additional its latest generation of ghter as a joint in front of the Force contract is thought to be worth weapons hardpoints, and an array of new Swedish-Swiss initiative, but although canopy and approximately $4.5 billion and includes an the enlarged external sensors. Switzerland’s order was narrowly rejected wingtip fairings initial requirement for 36 aircraft, which Ahead of the unveiling, Lars Ydreskog, in a 2014 referendum, Sweden decided to accommodate will probably grow signi cantly in the Saab’s head of aerospace operations, told to go ahead regardless with its plan for 60 electronic future. According to an o cial statement, warfare Combat Aircraft: ‘The Gripen E has 40 per new ghters. The Swedish Air Force has equipment. the Brazilian Air Force concluded that

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the Gripen was the best option from an operational standpoint and in terms of cost.

Meeting cost goals Manufacturing the Gripen E is an entirely new-build process, with no need to rely on the existing C/D airframes, as had been the case with the A/B to C/D transformation. GRIPEN E AT A GLANCE Sweden examined a number of options, • General Electric F414-GE-39E engine. including the purchase of a completely • Selex Skyward-G IRST. di erent platform as Option A. Option B • Selex ES-05 Raven AESA radar. took the existing Gripen C/D airframe, the • Two new fuselage pylon stations, left same engine, and then inserted future and right of centerline. technology. Option C1 looked at a new • Mil Std 1760E class II interface to all pylons. Gripen airframe design, with a new engine • Gen4 Litening laser designator pod and new, but proven, technology. The last (LDP) plus RecceLite. option (C2) involved a new airframe, new • Crypto, jam-resistant ‘ ghter link’. engine and all-new technology. In the • Reduced radar cross-section (RCS) — event they went for Option C1 — this is included as a contractual obligation. • New (EW) systems. the Gripen E. • Missile approach warning system ‘We have reduced development and (MAWS) sensors linked to automatic production costs by 40 per cent’, says cha / are launchers. Lars Ydreskog. The three-year full-scale • New mission software standards: development has moved away from MS21 and MS22

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paper-based design drawings and wholly with many of the key elements of the of the  n leading edge. A revised wingtip embraced what Saab calls model-based new  ghter and has completed ‘several design accommodates new electronic systems engineering (MBSE). ‘It just hundred ights’. ‘We’ve been ying the warfare antennas. Although the canopy, wasn’t possible to do it the old way’, says AESA [active electronically scanned array] seat and outer elevons are common with Ydreskog. Saab has been able to model, radar for a long time’, says Ydreskog. The the Gripen C, this is altogether a very evaluate and build the Gripen E via Gripen Demo has undertaken sorties new beast. this method. It has been a key factor in with the Selex Skyward-G infra-red search Saab plans three Swedish test aircraft, reducing costs surrounding the program. and track (IRST) sensor and various other in addition to the 60 series production Of course, the company is able to tap into elements of the new sensor-fuzed avionics examples on order for the Swedish Air the wealth of data it has from the ight- package, plus the new General Electric Force. Aircraft 39-8 is the prototype that testing of previous Gripen variants, but F414-GE-39E engine. was rolled out on May 18, 2016. This the new approach will also help to shorten As well as a production Selex ES-05 aircraft is planned to be handed over to the planned ight test campaign, which is Raven AESA radar, the Gripen Demo has the ight test team this summer and will expected to be only a third as long as that test- own the Gripen E’s new missile take to the air before the end of 2016. The 06 for the C/D. approach warning system (MAWS), next two prototypes, 39-9 and 39-10, are ‘First ight was traditionally important’, satellite communications (SATCOMs), new both now in build at Linköping; both are Ydreskog continues. ‘The  rst ight for us displays and avionics architecture (in the single-seat JAS 39Es. of [the] Gripen E is of course important, back seat), increased internal fuel, new Sweden has shied away from two- but it is not that important for us to verify landing gear, two new stores stations, and seaters. However, Brazil has planned its that all the functions work’. In short, the the new digital head-up display (HUD). Its initial buy around 28 Gripen Es and eight emphasis in the ight test phase will be initial ight with the production-standard two-seat Gripen Fs. Saab will produce on proving the areas that are di cult for a IRST was conducted on March 31, 2014. one Brazilian ‘Echo’ test aircraft, which computer to model and calculate. The Gripen E will operate at a higher all- will be built at and initially operate from Certi cation test work is vastly reduced up weight than the JAS 39C variant: 16.5 Linköping before it goes to South America. on the Gripen E because only 10 per cent tonnes compared to 14 tonnes. It carries The Brazilian aircraft di er somewhat of the computer software code relates 40 per cent more fuel. The new AESA radar from the Swedish jets. They will have a to ight-critical elements. Some 90 per is accommodated within a revamped customer-speci c communications suite cent of the code is focused on tactical radome, and the nose gear now has a and certain weapons, and they feature functionality. It means that Saab engineers single wheel, which allows the Gripen E a large-area display cockpit, unlike the can make swift tactical upgrades without to operate from a runway with arresting Swedish aircraft that are currently planned the need to touch ight-critical avionics. gear. Other  ner details include a new to feature the more traditional layout of Many test requirements have already ammunition box with a new conveyer three multi-function displays (MFDs). The been veri ed and the number of live system, but the same gun. The Gripen E no Swedish con guration re ects a lower-risk ight-test points dramatically reduced. longer ejects cannon shells, as they would initial approach to the Gripen E program, Certi cation is planned to be conducted have hit the new shoulder stores stations. but reports suggest that Sweden may still from mid-2018 to the end of 2023, the Structurally, things have changed too. elect to move to the large display. latter date representing full operational The outer wings now attach further capability of the MS22 con guration. out — at pylon three — to make extra Partnerships and Much of the risk-reduction e ort for the internal space for fuel tanks, and new development Gripen E has been undertaken in ight aluminum-lithium integral frames are Having cut short its F-5M Tiger II upgrade sciences laboratories and in ight tests on provided for the wing attachments. program and now looking to halve its the so-called ‘Gripen Demo’, aircraft 39-7. The main gear retracts into the wing, AMX mid-life update, Brazil is leaning The Gripen Demo is a JAS 39D that was rather than the fuselage. There are larger heavily on the Gripen. Although 36 jets Top: Aircraft rebuilt as a two-seat ‘Next Gen’ variant and engine air intakes and a new secondary are now on order, this number is likely 39-7, the so- called ‘Gripen  rst took to the air in this con guration environmental control system (ECS) for to grow to over 100. The Brazilian Navy, Demo’ aircraft. in 2008. It has progressively been own the powerful AESA radar at the bottom meanwhile, is the main prospect for the

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Gripen M (formerly Sea Gripen) initiative. The levels of technology transfer o ered by Saab mean that Brazil will have its own Gripen design, development and  ight test center, jointly established with . Jerker Ahlqvist, head of the Gripen program, said that Saab will establish a production line in Brazil, but ‘that is still a few years down the line’. There are currently 60 Brazilian personnel in Sweden and plans are well under way for the Gripen facility in Gavião Peixoto. Brazil is expected to order a further two batches of aircraft. However, the timing is unclear. Saab is keen to ensure that it can Left: The introduce upgrades to the Brazilian side in ‘Gripen Demo’ the same manner and at the same speed aircraft during as in the Swedish program. Indeed, it aims trials of the IRST sensor. to make non- ight-critical enhancements to the aircraft in a similar way to apps on The rst Gripen a smartphone. It envisages that some E, 39-8, on the production line updates of this order could be carried at Linköping. out ‘within a week’ under what Saab calls the Short Tactical Upgrade Cycle. Below: The Brazilian Air These upgrades would serve as useful Force will incremental steps in addition to the larger receive 28 MS advances, which would likely occur single-seat Gripen Es and every two years or so. eight two-seat Gripen test pilot Marcus Wandt F variants. The explained: ‘Since technology development latter may be 07 pressed into a is accelerating, [the Gripen E] needs to ‘Wild Weasel’ be easily upgradable in a practical way role as well in time to [enable] the change to have as acting as trainers. an e ect’. Further explaining the Gripen

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The path to service ‘Saab plans three Swedish test aircraft, in The Swedish Air Force has scheduled 2023 as its target date for initial operating addition to the 60 series production examples capability (IOC) for the first Gripen E division. It is thought that the lead on order for the Swedish Air Force’ squadron will be from F 7 wing at Såtenäs. This ties in with Saab’s aim to certify the ‘Echo’ in MS21 configuration during this E’s avionics architecture, Wandt adds: was built to undertake three core roles: timeframe, with MS22 to follow as part ‘Three key features separate flight air-to-air, air-to-ground, and tactical of Full Operating Capability (FOC). The management from tactical management. reconnaissance. All these missions first aircraft is set to be delivered to the You don’t want [software] code from are being flown by the same guy’. The Swedish Air Force in 2019, with delivery tactical management to affect flight challenge here, according to Wandt, is Right top to rates rising gradually thereafter. bottom: The management. We need to be able to maintaining pilot currency in these core Gripen E Saab says that in the past it achieved change tactics really quickly and also competencies. Embedded synthetic features a single T180, whereby after 180 units the be able to change hardware without training and the optimization of the live/ nosewheel, manufacturer knew completely how to unlike its touching the applications. virtual construct is what he calls ‘part of predecessor, assemble the Gripen. With the Gripen E ‘Our enhanced communications are the whole package.’ which had two. it has declared that it can achieve T30, increasingly providing networked tactics. Wandt also acknowledges that the Jamie Hunter and probably better. Ahlqvist says: ‘All the In the Gripen E we have the Cobra focus is about maintaining a range of Enlarged intakes parts fit — we don’t need to do any parts helmet-mounted display, AESA radar, options as the current and future ‘fights’ and part of adaptation. The first aircraft is [the same IRST that provides a passive BVR [beyond demand and evolve. He is well aware the missile as] a serial production aircraft.’ approach visual range] capability, advanced that dogfighting is not a primary focus warning system For Maj Gen , the electronic warfare [EW] system, more for many air forces right now and that are evident in Swedish Air Force Chief of Staff, this is weapons stations, increased thrust BVR is the desired regime. However, this view. great news. Demands upon his squadrons Jamie Hunter and range. [Engagement] ranges are he acknowledges that factors such as are increasing, and everyone is keenly increasing, so we need to do more battle stealth may be cancelled out by IRSTs, The prototype aware of the need for the Gripen E amid management. I don’t need to know for example, and that the fight could is not yet fitted increasing tensions in the region. No-one with functional which sensor is providing the data, I just come in close and rely on agile missiles IRST or missile is shy about discussing these concerns. In 08 need to know the information.’ and helmet sights. ‘Right now [we can approach the short term, the net result has been an The Gripen was always built with manage the fight] a long way out without warners, which increase in the number of Swedish Gripen will be added multi-role missions in mind. The Gripen having to turn and burn; in 30 years, I as flight-testing squadrons from four at the force’s lowest E is what Wandt calls ‘true swing-role’. ‘It don’t know.’ progresses. ebb to six as of January this year. ‘By the

The fully-loaded Gripen E complete with GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, MBDA Meteor, IRIS-T missiles and Litening pod.

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fall, all squadrons will be flying the MS20 Gripen C’, Helgesson enthuses. ‘We will be the first air force in the world flying with the [MBDA] Meteor missile operationally.’ Helgesson has a range of challenges ahead, and he knows that the new Gripen E cannot afford to steal funding from important projects such as the SK 60 trainer replacement program or the successor to the Tp 84 (C-130) Hercules fleet. ‘We need a good set-up for the training for Gripen E’, he adds. The FMV (Swedish Defense Materiel Administration) has now issued a request for information (RFI) for a new flying training system by 2020, and although the 2015 Swedish defense bill was trend-breaking in as much as it saw an increase in military funding for the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, Helgesson feels more is needed. However, ‘it is a step in the right direction.’ ‘To win the air war you need either superior numbers, superior technology or superior tactics’, he says. The defense budget will not allow him to amass the numbers of fighters, so he relies on ‘good technology and smart tactics.’ This means trying to maintain his six- squadron fighter complement, phasing 09 out the Gripen C/D by 2026, and having his first Gripen E squadron firing on all cylinders by 2023. Jamie Hunter

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