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2016-06-01

Saab Debuts Gripen E

The aircraft is designed to meet changing threats faced by modern air forces

Saab recently rolled out its new Gripen E fighter aircraft during a ceremony at the company’s Linköping production plant in Sweden. According to reports, the ceremony saw aircraft 39-08, the first of three prototypes, presented to governmental, military, and industrial guests. Reportedly, the aircraft has already secured deals for 60 aircraft from Sweden and a further 36 machines for the Brazilian Air Force, including eight twin-seat F versions. ‎India, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland and Columbia are reportedly some of the possible customers for the jet.

Gripen is a unique fighter concept bringing together operational performance, high-tech solutions, 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.

Among the key missions systems that make Gripen E such a formidable aircraft is its all-new ES-05 Raven AESA (active electronically scanned antenna) radar.

The aircraft is equipped with an electronic warfare system that gives it a unique active and passive electronic attack (EA) capability, which adds the AESA to the vital EA mission. It is also equipped with a missile approach warning and self defence system, a first for a tactical fighter aircraft in this class.

Gripen’s advanced cockpit design and sensor suite puts the pilot in total control of the air battle. The aircraft’s range of air-to-air and air-to-surface precision weapons allows it to dominate the battle against all targets on land, at sea or in the air. A video datalink specifically designed for the CAS mission connects the Gripen E directly to ground forces, while its air-to-air datalinks integrate the airborne force and ground control assets.

Formidable Multi-Role Fighter

Gripen E is a fully NATO-interoperable, true multi-role fighter with outstanding availability, tailored for the future Network Centric Warfare (NCW) environment. It is designed to meet the demanding operational requirements of the 21st century air forces and its unrivalled multi-role capability provides excellent tactical flexibility.

The aircraft offers operational dominance and flexibility with superior mission survivability. The radar for the aircraft is produced by Selex in Scotland and called ES-05 Raven. ES-05 is an AESA radar and in contrast to older generation radars, it has not only one antenna but a full array of small antennas, called elements. This means that the radar can simultaneously and independently track different targets, and also track targets independently of search volumes. The ability to control the elements separately and the high-speed re-direction give Gripen a significant tactical advantage.

The IRST for Gripen E is produced by Selex in Italy, and called Skyward G. IRST stands for Infrared Search and Track and is an electro-optical system mounted in the nose of Gripen E. Its sensor sits on top of the nose, just in front of the canopy, and is looking forward in a wide sector registering heat emissions from other aircraft, helicopters and from objects on the ground and sea surface. The IRST is a passive sensor, meaning that it never emits any energy. It only listens for energy coming from other sources. The tactical advantage of a passive sensor is that it will not give the position away. Opponents will have no indication whatsoever that Gripen E is using its IRST to monitor their activities.

Procured by six nations, the IRIS-T is a short-range, highly manoeuvrable, all-aspect air-to-air missile. A sophisticated imaging infrared seeker, thrust-vector control and a powerful motor allows for the engagement of any target from point-blank all the way to maximum range.

Increasing Survivability

Gripen E has a highly advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) system. The EW system can function as a passive sensor, working like a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) indicating if a radar is looking at you or MAWS (Missile Approach Warning System) indicating the approach of a missile. In an active mode, the EW system can also actively jam the enemy radars, making the fighter disappear from radar screens or appearing in another location. Coupled to the countermeasure such as chaff and flares the EW system can enhance the survivability.

Weapons

Gripen E 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.

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. The aircraft can also carry pods and sensors for reconnaissance and special missions. These include Litening, Reccelite, DJRP and MRPS pods.

In addition to the wide range of weapons and stores already in the arsenal, almost any weapon can be integrated, giving the aircraft high weapon flexibility. This is partly due to the flexible avionic architecture. Because of its well-documented ease of new weapon integration, Gripen served as the main test platform for Meteor, the latest long range air-to-air missile. The high weapon flexibility in Gripen basically means that the weapon solution, to a great extent, can be customised at a lower cost than for equivalent fighter platforms.

Network Centric fighter

Gripen E is a Network Centric fighter. This means that the aircraft has the possibility to communicate two ways with all armed units. It has a secure and multi-frequency data links system that provides total situation awareness for all involved participants in an operation.

The communication is secured by the usage of encryption. The codes for the encryption are under control of the customer. The acquired information, along with information about each Gripen’s position, fuel and weapon status, is shared with other Gripen fighters via the data link.

The information in the aircraft is presented in an advanced fully digital cockpit layout with three large colour, Multi-Functional Displays (MFD) and in the head-up display (HUD). The information from all sensors is displayed in order to get the pilot an easy to understand overview of all available information to help him to take the right decisions. This is combined with a Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) command, giving direct access to all needed functions.

Gripen E tactics are based on smart use of a variety of electronic warfare capabilities. The RWR (Radar Warning Receiver) is the source for an accurate sensor for detecting emitting threats such as radar.

Plus, the Gripen E has a sophisticated MAW system. The system uses passive sensors and can detect and track incoming missiles of all types. Not only radar-guided missiles but also passively guided IR missiles can be detected and the correct defensive actions taken.

Aircraft of Choice

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. Also, 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.

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