LokeNew SAAF fighter is delivering the goods
The Gripen fighter, being phased into service by the South African Air Force (SAAF), is already delivering on the promises made by its manufacturer, Saab of Sweden.
This was reported on Wednesday by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) chief radar and electronic warfare systems engineer Francois Anderson.
Although the Gripen is still in the commissioning phase and thus is still classified as a project and not as operational aircraft, the fighters were used to help provide aerial security, enforcing restricted flight zones, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June and July.
The Gripens, which are operated by 2 Squadron at Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado in Limpopo province, were, during the World Cup, forward deployed to Pretoria and to AFB Overberg (near Bredasdorp) in Western Cape province.
“The pilots reported that the aircraft was delivering on the promises — carefree handling, seamless [avionics] integration, excellent situational awareness, ease of operations away from base, and quick turnaround times,” revealed Anderson.
Turnaround (refuelling and preparing an aircraft for a new mission, immediately after it has returned from a prior mission) times could be, it seems, as short as ten minutes.
SAAF tactical planning for Gripen patrols during the World Cup was supported by the CSIR.
“The CSIR’s tactics simulation tool was used by the SAAF to determine the tactics for protecting the World Cup,” explained CSIR modelling and simulation principle engineer John Monk. “The CSIR provides mission simulation capability to the SAAF to assist them in developing their tactics. The CSIR does not develop tactics. The SAAF does.”
The development of a tactical simulation system for the Gripen involved the development of digital models of the aircraft, its radar warning receiver, missiles (using data supplied by local missile manufacturer Denel Dynamics), and datalink.
[…]
“The Gripen has seamlessly integrated digital avionics with data fusion,” stated Anderson, who added that it had benign flying characteristics, was agile, designed for network centric warfare, was well equipped for electronic warfare, and was quite a stealthy design.
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-saaf-fighter-is-delivering-the-goods-2010-09-01
LokeGripen fighter programme has boosted SA’s radar expertise
The acquisition of the Saab Gripen fighter by the South African Air Force (SAAF) has further strengthened the country’s expertise in the sphere of airborne radars, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) chief radar and electronic warfare systems engineer Francois Anderson said on Wednesday.
The Gripen is equipped with the Saab EDS (previously Ericsson) PS-05A radar. “We have more information on the PS-05A than on any other foreign radar ever acquired by South Africa,” he stated.
The CSIR has decades of experience with radar in general and many years of experience with radars for fighter aircraft. Indeed, the Council is the designated defence evaluation and research institute for radar systems for the Department of Defence.
It was this existing expertise which allowed the CSIR to extract maximum benefit for the country and the SAAF from the acquisition of the PS-05A: the South African specialists knew the right questions to ask the Swedes and knew the kind of information to ask for. And, because the CSIR experts were involved in the acquisition programme from the very beginning, including during the contract negotiations, they were able to persuade the Swedes to provide all the information the South Africans desired.
During a series of visits to the then Ericsson in Sweden, the CSIR collected formal technical information and detailed notes on the PS-05A. Armed with this information, and with ITS knowledge of the Southern African environment, the CSIR was then able to request modifications to the functioning of the radar to meet South African conditions.
Thus, a weather-mapping mode was added, because of the frequency of severe thunder and hailstorms in South Africa — nobody wants to fly a very expensive fighter through a hailstorm if it can be avoided. And the air-to-sea mode of the radar was adjusted, to cope with the significant difference in sea conditions between the Baltic Sea and the South Atlantic and South Indian Oceans.
One very important aspect of the PS-05A radar programme in South Africa is that it has resulted in the development of a team of young radar professionals in this country.
The programme has also seen the development of close and trusting relationships between the CSIR, Saab and Saab EDS, and between the CSIR, the SAAF and South Africa’s defence acquisition agency, Armscor, which have helped unlock further value for South Africa.
Full story:
Note highlighted text — also known as ToT… 🙂
Loke@Loke,
and where do you want to fit that single BrahMos? Those aircraft are all too small to fit it under the fuselage and one sided carriage is probably not such a good idea. The hardpoints may not be cleared for carrying a 2.5 t store anyway, but who knows.
The main dimensions are about 6.5m long, 0.9m diameter (with an increase diameter on the forward section). Total mass of the demonstrator is 4t. The definition of the MLA is compatible with two European aircrafts available in the countries partners of the project, the EADS, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica Eurofighter and the Dassault Aviation Rafale.
Due to the difference of architecture of the two aircafts, MLA is attached under the fuselage in the case of the
Rafale, and under the wing in the case of the Eurofighter.
http://www.responsivespace.com/Papers/RS7/SESSIONS/SESSION%20I/1005_TALBOT/1005P.pdf
Edit: I realized just now that whereas the MLA is 6.5 m long the Brahmos is (according to Wiki) 8.4 m … What do our Rafale and Typhoon experts say? Is that simply too long? Would it touch the ground during take-off?
Would be funny if it was the length rather than the weight or diameter that made it impossible to integrate…
LokeIndia Rules Out Integration of BrahMos Missile on MMRCA
On the issue of integrating the missile with the MMRCA, which the IAF was in the process of acquiring, Pillai said medium aircraft were not being considered for firing the missile. “Sukhoi, being a big aircraft, is ideal for BrahMos,” he said.
I may be wrong but to me it seems that he is indicating that the MMRCA are “too small” for carrying the Brahmos?
I would think the Rafale (and perhaps also SH and Typhoon?) would be as capable as the SU-30mki to carry the Brahmos?
According to Wiki the air-launced Brahmos weighs 2500 kg and has a diameter of 60 cm — quite some drag of course.
As a comparison, the Storm Shadow/Scalp is around 1300 kg — I am not sure about the diameter?
Taurus weighs 1400 kg and has a maximum diameter of 1 metre. I guess if you can carry two Taurus or Storm Shadow then one Brahmos should be no big deal?
LokeThai budget makes provision for second Gripen batch
Thailand’s House of Representatives approved a Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) defence budget of THB170 billion (USD5.4 billion) on 26 August, an expenditure that includes funds allocated to a second batch of six Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
The allocation is a 10 per cent increase over actual defence spending in FY09 and accounts for 8 per cent of the total national expenditure. It is equal to approximately 1.7 per cent of GDP.
Between 25 and 30 cent of the defence budget is earmarked for capital expenditure, which includes a down payment on six JAS 39 Gripens and funding for the mid-life upgrade of the RTAF’s Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs.
LokeThe UN recognizes the rights of coastal nations to extend their claims 200 nautical miles or more(up to 350nm), under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
But isn’t that just the economical zone?
Other countries can still send ships and planes within that zone. If Canada claims a 200 nm zone in which others cannot fly or sail at all then that’s something very peculiar for Canada me thinks…
Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state’s territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. In casual usage, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf beyond the 200 mile limit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusive_Economic_Zone
Also note what was written in another post above:
Liberal MP Larry Bagnell, who represents the Yukon, accused the government of making a big deal out of a routine military exercise.
“When it suits the Conservatives’ purposes they bring forward something the Russians have done routinely, not breaking international law, and all of a sudden make a big case out of it,” said Bagnell. “They’re changing the channel, or trying to get support or get people riled up, pick an adversary and do that.”
Russian military a/c regularly enter Norway’s EEZ; also Russian ships do the same.
I would be surprised if Canada is making such a claim; are we sure it’s not a misunderstanding?
LokeSwitzerland delays fighter purchase to 2015
15.32: Start
Federal Maurer entered the room. He informed: His defense department (VBS) announced on Wednesday, the Federal Council had reaffirmed the fundamental decision for the procurement of aircraft. Because of the financial situation of the federal but he had postponed the date of acquisition.
The decision was postponed until at least 2015, it is said in the statement. By the end of 2011, the Treasury and the Department of Defense to jointly create the conditions for obtaining “in the second half of the decade.”
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/Bundesrat-verschiebt-Kauf-von-Kampfjets/story/31819620
EDIT: Google Translate got that wrong, it should be “2015 at the latest”. Official press release: http://www.admin.ch/aktuell/00089/index.html?lang=fr&msg-id=34752
LokeSo why does he procrastinate ?? what is he waiting for to declare officially the winner and sign the contract ..
we have already discussed this ad nauseum.
Because of the upcoming elections. The opposition will ask why Lula choose the most expensive option of the three, when the FAB says all three are acceptable; in particular also since Saab offered slightly better ToT, was much cheaper, and had support from industry.
First the argument for Rafale was no US contents; then it was due to the “special strategic relationship with France”, then it was said to have the best ToT; and finally it became the “most balanced” with acceptable risk, whereas Gripen NG was found to be high-risk, partly due to the highly uncertain operating costs of the F414 engine (only 1 million flight hours… surely there will be plenty of surprises…)
In an election period you don’t want to spend all your energy justifying such a decision…
LokeFor the Eurocanards a formidable ew-suit will do. From the Europeans non is looking to win an arial war against a super power. For some few mission left outside that some stealth UCAVs will do it much cheaper. 😎
I think the main reason why Europe should think about this is to strengthen the export possibilities.
If the SH with a weapons pod can obtain a low RCS, that could be a selling point.
The future potential option of Conformal Weapons Bays could perhaps help convince some prospective customers go for the eurocanard and not the SH?
LokeI can understand SAAB being happy to move NG production to Brazil if they do end up winning the competition. But if already the production NG wing is being developed in Brazil as well as the rear fuselage and taiplane being produced there, how much industrial participation could SAAB offer to India if NG were shortlisted?
My understanding is that if Gripen wins in India a dedicated production line for Indian Gripens only will be implemented in India. Whereas the Brazilian production line would be producing for America (and perhaps also ROW?)
Anyway, the probability of Gripen winning in either Brazil or India is IMHO not very high, and the probability of winning both will be even smaller…
LokeSpectra rucks because it’s made in Russia? (sorry I could not resist…)
LokeCan anybody confirm this?
It is possible that in the purchase price will include weapons for aircraft and other advanced options, such as French radars that India intends to install on existing Su-30MKI
http://www.lenta.ru/news/2010/08/17/su30mki/
If they really are going for a French radar I would assume it would be based on the RBE2 AESA?
LokeI am looking for more info on the Tejas mk2
I searched some more and this is what I found so far:
The LCA Mark 2 will have a bigger and more powerful engine, the fuselage will be changed, it will have bigger wings, and the aircraft will be more aerodynamic,” says Hindustan Aeronautics chairman Ashok Baweja, whose company manufactures the fighter.
Then there is this blog:
Sources close to idrw.org have informed that Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is currently working on two different design variant for Tejas MK-2, while major changes in both the design are wings position in terms of alignment to make the aircraft more aero dynamic and also to reduce drag, Tejas MK-2 will also have design changes to its fuselage and will have a bigger wing to carry heaver payload, Tejas Mk-2 will also be able to carry more internal fuel due to improvement in fuselage design and wing.
Engine update:
Final negotiations for purchase of new engines for Tejas MK-2 has begun and decision will be soon made public, while both engine manufactures have promised that their engine will easily be integrated with Tejas MK-2 airframe ,but both have asked for 2 years to make some minor changes to the engines and have already provided details regarding this to ADA and HAL , changes mostly likely be change in position of gear box and other pipe systems , once contract is signed modified engines will be delivered by 2012 year end or 2013 and integration into airframe might take place by 2013 year end and first flight might take place by 2014 year end or early 2015 .
http://indiandefencedirectory.blogspot.com/2010/06/lca-tejas-mk-2update.html
but I have no idea how reliable it is.
LokeI think the article jj qouted was referring to the RBE2 AESA — presumably the AESA software would be different from the software driving the PESA therefore one can imagine a situation where the RBE2 PESA has such a functionality whereas the RBE2 AESA does not (yet).
I may be wrong of course.
LokeI am looking for more info on the Tejas mk2 — I searched but could not really find much.
Apart from the stronger engine, what features will the mk2 get? And when is it expected to be launched.
Links to official sources would be appreciated.
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