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2017-05-13

GRIPEN MARITIME The future of Naval Air Power

Saab is establishing Gripen Maritime as its new generation carrier-based fighter for the future. Featuring all the capabilities of the Gripen E, it will be one of the world’s most technologically advanced fighters in this category.

Gripen is a unique fighter concept bringing together operational performance, high-tech solutions, and cost-efficiency and industrial partnership into one, smart fighter system. It is a new generation multi-role fighter aircraft featuring state-of-the-art technology that is capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions employing the most modern range of weapons. The aircraft is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs.

Gripen E is the successor to the proven Gripen C/D, and takes the tried and tested elements of the Gripen design, and improves on these. The new aircraft has 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. Furthermore, a unique avionics architecture makes weapons and systems integration easier. The aircraft 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.

Operational Dominance

Gripen Maritime will be an ideal solution for maritime nations seeking to augment, replace or generate new carrier-based fighter fleets. Very low maintenance requirements plus high availability offer the command an exceptional all-weather multi-role fighter.

The system will have high agility, extended reach, carefree manoeuvring, and full net-centric capabilities. An advanced data link and extensive electronic warfare self-protection suite can be readily adapted to meet specific user requirements.

Gripen Maritime will also have the latest generation Selex Raven AESA radar and sensor fusion, Infra-Red Search and Track, plus an avionics architecture including ultra-fast data buses and Ethernet. The platform offers easy integration of advanced weapon systems, and the overall avionic architecture will allow for maximum future growth.

It is a fully NATO-interoperable, true multi-role fighter, tailored for the future Network Centric Warfare (NCW) environment.

The system offers operational dominance and flexibility with superior mission survivability. Air-to-air superiority is guaranteed with METEOR, AMRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9 missile capability, and supercruise. Air-to-surface capability is assured through the use of the latest generation precision weapons and targeting sensors.

Gripen E’s superior situation awareness is ensured through an AESA radar, IRST passive sensor, HMD, cutting-edge avionics, next generation data processing and a state-of-the-art cockpit.

Together with proven Network Centric Warfare capabilities including advanced data communications, dual data links, satellite communications and video links, make Gripen E the ideal independent fighter of choice. On-board sensors, in combination with HMD/NVG, deliver the ability to detect and destroy a wide variety of targets, even at night or in poor weather conditions.

Gripen Maritime is very well suited for the high tempo flying cycles demanded by embarked operations, and its small footprint will allow it to operate from all aircraft carriers in service today and tomorrow.

Tailored For the Seas

Intended for both catapult-assisted take-off but with arrested recovery (CATOBAR) and Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR ) operations, the Gripen Maritime size and flight/hangar deck manoeuvrability will offer a simple and robust fighter in terms of all embarked operations.

Its small logistics footprint and reduced spares inventory will make it significantly more maintainable and require far fewer personnel than existing fleet fighters.

Gripen Maritime can meet or exceed all operational requirements for maritime nations throughout the world.

The fighter can operate in high humidity and is designed to withstand the corrosive effect of salt-water ingress. The GE 414G engine is fully marinised for embarked operations.

Wide Choice of Weapons

The system has weapons for all types of mission, from guided glide bombs for precision engagement with low collateral damage, to long-range and agile air-to-air missiles and heavy anti-ship armaments. Additionally, the aircraft has an inherent precision strike and stand-off capability.

Equipped with 10 weapon stations, Gripen Maritime can be armed with the RBS15 air-to-surface missile system, as well as the METEOR Beyond Visual Range (BVR). The extensive international weapon clearances to date will offer a very wide choice of capability in all roles.

The single-seat Gripen E is equipped with a 27 mm Mauser BK27 gun. This can be used in air-to-surface attacks against land and sea targets and is suitable for air policing missions. Gripen NG can also carry pods and sensors for reconnaissance and special missions. These include Litening, Reccelite, DJRP and MRPS pods.

It is one of the easiest aircraft of its kind to add new weapons to. This makes it a top choice for weapons companies as they can quickly and easily use Gripen for development. For example, it was selected for testing the Meteor missile. This benefits users, as new armaments are available to them more quickly compared to other aircraft. Any specific weapons required by the user nation can be easily integrated onto Gripen Maritime.

Easy to Maintain

The system is easy to maintain – an engine change can be fully completed in less than one hour. With a highly affordable operational cost per flight hour the Gripen Maritime is an ideal match for naval requirements.

Gripen Maritime will benefit from the same reliability, maintainability and testability as existing versions of the aircraft. This will mean fewer failures, reduced downtime, short turnaround times, low lifecycle support costs and maximised availability for the aircraft’s operators.

Also, rapid pitch and roll authority as well as precision glide slope control will give Gripen Maritime pilots an ideal platform for safe and steady deck landings.

Aircraft of note

The Gripen fighter is in service with a number of air forces: Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Thai. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide. In addition, Brazil has signed a contract for the development and production of 36 Gripen E fighter aircraft. Brazil has also signed a contract of 28 single and eight two-seated Gripen E and deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will be undertaken from 2019 to 2024.

Furthermore, Gripen is in full operational service with the Czech Republic Air Force, which has taken delivery of all 14 aircraft (12 single-seat and 2 two-seaters) to meet its national, European and NATO defence needs.

Gripen is also in full operational service with the Hungarian Air Force, which has taken delivery of all 14 aircraft (12 single-seat and two two-seaters) to meet its national, European and NATO needs.

South Africa, Gripen’s first export customer, has ordered a fleet of 26 aircraft (nine two-seat and 17 single seat aircraft) to replace its existing front-line aircraft. Deliveries began in 2008 and were completed during the spring of 2012.

Also, Gripen was declared operational with the Swedish Air Force in 1997, and 204 aircraft, including 28 two seaters, have been delivered. Thailand also operates a fleet of 12 Gripen aircraft (four two-seat and eight single seat aircraft). The first six Gripen aircraft were delivered in 2011 and the last six were delivered in September 2013.

Independence from oil

Gripen recently underwent a series of test flights with 100 per cent biofuel for the first time. This demonstrates that the aircraft can be flown with an alternative fuel and gives valuable knowledge for future possible use of alternative fuel.

“Demonstrating that Gripen can fly with 100 per cent biofuel is an important step in making Gripen future-safe,” says Göran Bengtsson, Director of Research and Technology, Future Business, Aeronautics. “Gaining independence from imports of oil is important from a defence standpoint and opens the way for additional sources of fuel, which creates flexibility. It’s naturally also good if we in the long term can contribute to reducing environmental impact from military aviation.”

Reference Text/Photo

www.gripen.com

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