MAKO LCA vs Gripen (again)

The Mako LCA (the single seat fighter derivative) is becoming more and more interesting as a combat aircraft. To the point that it looks like it will be a good rival to the Gripen as a light combat multirole aircraft. This months Air International gives some good information which I’ll write here..

-Sustained Turn Rate
The Mako LCA is about 2 or 3% worse than the Gripen in that area, both are almost as good as the F-16 Block 52

-Instantaneous Turn Rate
The Mako LCA is at least 10% better than the F-16b52 and 5% better than the Gripen

-Thrust to Weight Ratio
about 10% worse than the F-16, but at least 20% better than the Gripen

-Max Weapon Load
both the Gripen and Mako LCA have about the same comparable load.. the Mako carries 7 hardpoints in which 3 (the inner most pylon) and the center fueselage pylon are capable of carrying large ASM’s and Fuel Tanks. A Typical lay out for the Mako LCA can consist of MICA IR on the wing tip rails, MICA (radar guided) (or even Meteor!), in the next inboard one, PGM-500 ASM in the inner most, and a fuel tank on the bottom fueselage. This would seem to be about the same as the Gripen’s capability which also has 7 hardpoints. However both are still not quite as good as the F-16 in this regard.

-Fuel Fraction
The Mako LCA is at least 130% better than the Gripen and 140% better than the F-16. Range wise, it is incredible this little aircraft can reach a 2000 nm ferry range! and is very cheap to operate.

-Radar
No definite radar installed yet however it calls for an APG-67 class system, the contenders include Fiar Grifo, Thales RD-400, BAE’s BlueHawk. Minimum required modes and capability for the radar are range while scan and track while scan, to detect up to 64 targets and track up to 6 simultanously with air to air modes and air to ground modes incorporated.

-Cockpit
well this one right here is a variable as EADS plans to change cockpit configurations to customer needs, a lay out cuold have 3 12inch MCD displays and a Hud, or two large 14in display with a smaller one in the central console and an innovative laser Hud, or another with 10in displays and a Hud repeater.. so it could go anyway here.. but it would appaer that it would have at least 3 displays. the Mako simulator currently has the first one installed.

-Engine
Contendors are the GE 404 and 414 from the US, the Eurojet and M88-2 and -3. these will be chosen based on customer needs..
THe only downside to th MAKO is its relatively low top speed at mach 1.5 (when compared to the Gripen) and probably limited EW so far..

But it would seem that the MAKO LCA makes a better and cheaper hi low mix with Rafales or Typhoons than a Gripen.