signatorycool photos! 😀
Btw, F7 updated with some pics from the visit to Caslav:
signatoryEh never mind.
signatoryYep, thats the right crash. There have only been 4 Gripen crashes.
Well, 3 operational and 2 prototypes.
The article is a bit vague. Swedish articles explained it better.
They used a dummy with the same G-suite, in the dynamic flight simulator. And they found out during high G’s the handle to the ejection seat could active the ejection process.
So it’s still directed towards the g-suite and handle issue.
signatoryA short clip from SF2007 operation activity:
Thanks for the link. HUNAF Gripen’s is sexy bitches :dev2: I think people often forget they have built-in radar jammer too.
signatoryComments.. ? Never really know when to believe Indian media reports or not.
http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/31385.html
NEW DELHI, MAY 19:The decades-old defence ties between India and its strategic partner Russia have hit a new low. Moscow now wants to renegotiate the Su-30 MKI deal, virtually doubling the figure in the yearly cost escalation clause. Only 60 of the aircraft, which are India’s mainstay multi-role fighters for the future, have been delivered till now. While Russia is willing to deliver 40 more at the current cost escalation of 2.55 per cent per annum, it wants to hike that to a minimum of 5 per cent for the remaining 138.
Russia also has plans to modify the cost package of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal, which was to provide the Indian Navy a floating airfield by next year.
Official sources confirmed to The Sunday Express that during their visit to Moscow this week, Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt, Secretary (Defence-Finance) V K Mishra and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Chairman Ashok Baweja were informed by their Russian counterparts that prices of Su-30 MKI fighters have hardened due to the falling dollar and double digit inflation in Russia.
Dutt met Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, Head of Russian Military and Technical Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriyev and defence contractor Rosboronexport’s chief Sergei Chemesov and returned to India on Thursday.
The visiting Indian delegation was informed that Russia would like to foreclose the Su-30 MKI deal after the delivery of the first 100 aircraft to New Delhi due to the rising cost of the contract (see graphic). The Russians want India to renegotiate the remaining contract of 138 fighters at an yearly cost escalation of minimum 5 per cent instead of the agreed 2.55 per cent.
However, as a special gesture to the Indians, the Russians were willing to reduce the yearly cost escalation to 4.5 per cent from 5 per cent. The other option offered to the Indians was to switch the contract to the much more stable Euro at the prevailing 2.55 per cent yearly escalation.
Simply put, the Russians want India to cough up Rs 220-300 crore, or nearly half-a-billion dollars, more if they want the Su-30 MKIs delivered in time and with the same specification. Right now the total contract is worth over $8.5 billion. India is in a fix as given the importance of the Su-30 MKI, its force levels will decline vis-a-vis its neighbours if it does not agree to the new terms.
While the Russian logic for the price increase is hardening of the rouble vis-a-vis the dollar, and that the Russian inflation is now pegged at a steep 10-10.5 per cent, New Delhi thinks that Moscow is acting tough as India is looking towards the West and the US in particular for the purchase of hardware. The last straw was apparently the decision to award a contract for 197 Army helicopters, worth $600 million, to French Eurocopter last month.
Sources confirmed that Dutt and his team reminded the Russians that they had agreed to supply 40 more Su-30 MKIs in March 2007 with the cost escalation fixed at 2.55 per cent. The Indian team also said that they would have a hard time explaining to the Central Vigilance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Parliament the need to re-open the decade-old deal after the last contract had been signed at the prevailing rate.
The Defence Secretary said that New Delhi had no problem switching over to Euro but then the cost escalation clause should be brought down to less than 2 per cent due to the higher exchange rate for the currency.
With India refusing to commit on the changes, the negotiations have hit a stalemate, with the next round in Delhi soon. Officials say there is likely to be hard bargaining.
In another blow to India, besides the proposed hike in the Su-30 MKI contract, the Russians want to present a modified proposal for the Gorshkov aircraft carrier that is being built at Sevmash shipyard in Serverodvinsk city in north Russia. Even though India has already paid $113 million beyond the contract, Russia apparently wants more so that the carrier can be delivered by August 2008. The delay is on account of shortage of funds at the Sevmash shipyard and a gross underestimation of the cost of cabling of the ship.
HIGH COST, LOW TIES
SUKHOI-30 MKI DEAL
The P V Narasimha Rao government signed the first Su-30 fighter contract with Russia in 1995. To date India and Russia have broadly signed a total of four Su-30 MKI contracts.
Ist contract: 8 Su-30 K plus 40 Su-30 MKI
II contract : 10 Su-30 K
III contract : 140 Su-30 MKI licenced production
IV contract : 40 Su-30 MKI (signed March 2007)
Aircraft Price $33.5-36.5million
Cost Escalation 2.55% per annum
Total number of aircraft delivered to date : 60
New Russian proposal : Only first 100 aircraft to be delivered at 2.55 per cent annual cost escalation. The contract for the remaining 138 to be renegotiated at 5 per cent cost escalation due to falling dollar. This translates into an escalation of nearly $3-4 million per aircraft and total increase of nearly Rs 220-300 crore.
Gorshkov Aircraft Carrier
Deal signed in 2004 during the NDA regime and the total cost of the floating airfield with MiG-29K fighters was $2 billion. Named Vikramaditya, the carrier was to be the showpiece of 2008 Independence Day
New Russian proposal
Russia wants India to pay more for getting the carrier, expected towards the end of this month, on time. With serious underestimation of cabling required and alleged diversion of resources from Sevmash shipyard, the delivery stands delayed to 2010 unless India coughs up more dollars. It has already paid an additional $113 million for Gorshkov.
signatoryI’m a big Gripen fan, and Gripen International have done a fantastic job with desk models and photoshopped pictures of a new Gripen variant, but it remains to be seen just how long it is before any metal is cut, let alone until a ‘Super Gripen’ actually flies.
Well first of all. The media is pretty dumbarsed as we all know. The term ‘Super Gripen’ was invented for the Armed forces JAS 39 E/F MLU project which is a far older long-term plan than the Gripen N which is a much more recent invention.
The work on Gripen N has begun internally at Saab with the dual seat [39.erased] set aside for its conversion to a Gripen N DEMO with the new engine, gear and fueltank. The avionics will be demonstrated on a ground-rig as it develops. There’s plenty of de-assembly to be done before it can be fitted with the new components to the dual-seater, that work will begin within 2 months according to the defense department this week. Jane’s DW wrote of a first flight 2008, but so far Saab has not spoken out publically on that date. We’ll see.
signatoryI just hope Eurofighter have something as Impressive as Saab has with the Gripen-N/DK. TVC, CFTs and 1500l supersonic drop tanks would be a good start. Maybe some of those sexy twin SDB/NSM racks that the Gripen-N has been shown with, they would look good on a Typhoon too.
But I don’t think the hardware already on the table now will matter that much with this Norwegian government… I have to say it will be a very difficult decision for Norway as all candidates have individually strong hands. (Other than the jets) Security, eez patrols and industrial cooperation etc.. I am not too convinced they will decide in 2008 like they plan.. more like this time 2009.
(A new Swedish pro-military, pro-nato government was the best thing that could have happened for the Gripen campaign though… )
signatoryThe suspension was already lifted by the time DefNews posted their article..
I wouldnt say a recommendation to not fly is the same as being “grounded”.. especially since the Czech republic continued as usual with NATO QRA readiness.
anyway.
Gripen Flights Resume After Crash
The Swedish military has approved renewed flights of the new jet fighter Gripen.
A study into the incident concluded that the pilot’s inflated uniform put extra pressure on the ejection controls between his legs – causing an unwanted ejection of the pilot’s seat.
signatoryJAS 39 C/D Gripen positive development.
The recommendation was changed from no-fly to fly with max +3G.
They hope to lift all restrictions very soon.
http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=147&a=642888&rss=1400
signatoryHow does 3 crashes – statistically speaking only apply – over the course of the entire Gripen program compare to the globally distributed F-16’s and Mirage 2000’s.
In raw stats today, the Gripen has a crashrate of 30,000 flight hours between crashes since it has flown 90,000 hours now. 2 of these we know were caused by human/nature error.
And this last one is still being investigated but something happened with the rescue system. Luckily 0 killed. We lost 19 on Viggen and 34 on Draken over their life-time so we are truly blessed with Gripen so far.
USAF F-16 is somewhere near 20,000 hours/crash and internationally ~140 people killed. The Dutch F-16 jets has a worse overall record, it could be engine and nature related I don’t want to analyze too much.
A new-generation jet we expect of course better safety, and we got it with Gripen, but since the other jets of the latest generation has flown far less flight hours I wouldnt compare too much right now.
Anybody knows if this may influence current status of the Czech, Hungarian and South African Gripens?
At worst, it’s a software issue. At best, it’s a mechanical or freak accident involving the G-suit and Martin Baker ejection seat. And like I said above, a design change had already been ordered. The Czech have said they will keep flying, and I am sure if Sweden only had C/D jets we would fly them today too. They are not grounded per se, it’s only a recommendation.
signatoryMartin-Baker, the manufacturer of the ejection seat has now been called in to take part in the investigation.
The Swedish military had already before this accident ordered a design change to the handle, making it less sensitive to g-suit interferrences.
The recommendation to not fly C/D so far only affect Swedish Air Force (one week pause), on monday Saab will decide if they too will halt C/D flights. The SwAF and Saab has the ability to fly A/B jets instead and can thus be extra careful.
signatorySuccess breeds envy.
France and Sweden is leading European UCAV efforts and no other program is as advanced as the NEURON, including certification in civilian airspace with a automatic collision avoidance system. No other project even dare to include this into their programs. France and Sweden is set to remain the aeronautical leaders in Europe for many years to come.
signatory
Neuron mockup
Neuron windtunnel model
filur demonstrator
Fact is the participants in the Neuron project share the same computer database just like a joint R&D team and they answer to DGA’s requirements which has been accepted by each respective national entity. It’s the most advanced and important ucav project in Europe and the method to bring it to a success is also new as to avoid the typical delays and incompatible data old euro projects has suffered from.
signatoryFact is the aeronatical leaders in Europe, France and Sweden, has consistently delivered successful programs throughout history and has a common view on the Neuron project so there’s little to worry about. But also little Germany could technically contribute with. Significant knowledge passed down from the predecessors Saabs Sharc/Filur as well as the Dassault Petit Duc/Moyen Duc also further reduce program risks. Filur is essentially a baby-neuron and is already undertaking a second flight test campaign this year.
signatoryRead up on ALR-94. It is the most sophisticated bit of kit on the F-22 according to the LM program manager (even more sophisticated that the APG-77). ALR-94 is what allows F-22 to precisely locate targets and kill them with AMRAAM without using the radar. Remember that F-22 was built under the mantra “If it radiates, it dies”.
lol! Are you for real? The AN/ALR-94 is a system involving passive sensors and softkill countermeasure devices. Good lord man, where do you get your info from?
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