there’s a lot of love for the Gripen in this thread.

There’s a reason why the Gripen has won more exports than many aircraft mentioned. It’s affordable, simple (in aviation terms), reliable and very capable and versatile. It’s manufacturer also has a history of producing solid aircraft.

At around November ’11, the Luftwaffe performed trials with the Taurus on Tornado in South Africa, so I believe that image was taken there. The trials weren’t reported much though.

So the GR.4 & GR.4A are indeed ceritified for the AIM-132?

I had been wondering about that as of late. The only RAF aircraft I knew for sure had used that weapon are (were) the Jaguar, Tornado F.3, and the Typhoon.

Any information on that integration such as when it happened? Do you happen to know if they are cleared for four of them or just the two on the inboard positions?

Phenomenal set of photos by the way. That RAPTOR pod is huge! Interesting that its not fitted on the centerline, but then again I suppose that leaves room for munitions such as the bombs in that first photo.

Yes. ASRAAM has been integrated onto the GR4 for approximately over two years now, just before Operation Ellamy, Libya. Initially, many believed it was an UOR for the campaign but according to the MoD ASRAAM was going to be integrated onto the GR4 anyway for it’s on-going upgrades. It was just a bit of a coincidence of timing.

Up to now, as far as I’m aware at least, the GR4 just carriers two ASRAAMs on it’s inner launch rails. Though I do believe it is possible to carry four like the F3 used to, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be able to since four ALARMs have been carried and a configuration of two ALARMs and two Sidewinders on a RSAF Tornado too.

Indeed, the RAPTOR pod is very large, not much smaller than a 2,200 litre drop tank. I have an article about the RAPTOR pod somewhere, I’m sure. I’ll see if I can find it and dig it & quote some phrases from the report. From what I can remember from it, it’s a rather compelling combination and a rather sought after capability in Afghanistan and was so during the Libyan Campaign. Apparently the USAF envy the RAF for such a capability. Ironic really since the RAPTOR was manufactured by Goodrich Corporation (an American company), albeit with very specific RAF requirements.

The idea of having RAPTOR stationed, ‘off-centre I suppose one can say, is for indeed what you say, room for munitions such as Paveway IV and Brimstone or a configuration of both. RAPTOR was first used in Operation Telic in 2003, just to add.

In addition. RAF Tornado GR4s also have the Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) integrated as of mid-2012. The request was made about a year earlier to have HMCS integrated and the system has been used in Afghanistan so it’s pretty much A/G focused. It also shares some elements to that of Typhoon’s HEA, which is quite interesting.

This image is interesting…

…in what way I hear one ask? Well, as one sees, the panels on the aircraft are mismatched, different colours. During Red Flag, I believe around 2007-2008 or maybe sooner (it might have been before…), the RAF experimented with a different colour(s) schemes and one was they painted different panels on the aircraft different shades of greys, almost like an abstract schemed WW1 Battle Ship. They looked very interesting and I remember the schemes worked pretty well. However, it was a one off and I don’t know why they didn’t go with the schemes. They were more pronounced than the image above.

Build my own airforce…

… Lots of Lightning F2As and F6s.

Lots of TSR-2s.

I’m a happy chappie! 😀

you cannot compare something experimental and not in service with something really going to be used. it is like comparing yf23 and f22.

That’s your reply? Okay, so you claim ‘yours is better than another’s’ yet when you’re given a snippet of information which is widely known, you say they can’t be compared, not only that, you ignore the experiences with AESA technology I pointed out, and I didn’t even mention the UK’s Bright Adder AESA programme which ‘Captor-E Radar-3’ will be based on … What a Troll. So why don’t you just stick to keeping on topic (if you can) and keep your silly claims to yourself, if you can’t back them up then it’s best to keep quiet in the first place.

Gone are the eras when there was an aircraft designed to meet a particular role, a dedicated aircraft so to speak, Jaguar, Lightning, Buccaneer, A-10, Harrier, A-4 Skyhawk, Tornado etc… those aircraft were capable in A/A but they didn’t excel as they’re too focused in other areas, (saying that, the Harrier has scored some 20+ A/A kills in it’s FRS-1 form which is more than many aircraft I’ve listed).

The likes of the F-4 Phantom, amongst a small number of other types from around the world, were ‘the future’ back in those early days regarding Multi-Role platforms, as a result, today we have Rafale, Gripen, the Flanker series, Mig-29 series, F-35, F-15, Typhoon and of course the Super Hornet, & many others. All of these aircraft were designed with Multi-Role capabilities in mind.

It’s correct that A/A combat will seldom happen, however it’s rather comforting for the Air Forces and pilots to know their aircraft are capable for such an event should the need arise.