Possible to give details on the engines you have in mind? The fatter engine mentioned by a Saab official in one Gripen-N interview would be the F414, but there was talk about the EJ2x0 being the right size to replace the RM12 without reengineering the airframe?

Edit: rewriting some bits.

Up to 15% using enhanced RM12. 25% using the F414 and 40+ % using the new version of F414 that was announced by GE in 2005. There’s plans to redesign the fuselarge to accept a larger engine diameter too such as the F110-GE-132 of UAE’s F16. Saab said this large-diameter jet is likely one of the demonstrators to be financed by the Swedish military but they will make their call on what is most attractive for export. As usual they have more than one concept to work from. In October Gripen will present a updated offer to Norway so maybe they have more info then.

But I’m confident that Volvo Aero (which has a Norwegian division btw) and their partner GE will provide any engine. They are more than just a supplier.

It is true the original Gripen for Sweden (from about 20 different models, narrowed down to 3 and then 1) was designed around the Rb 199 (from the Tornado), the Pratt & Whitney PW1120 and the General Electric F404-400. In fact the PW1120 was the prefered choice on pure technological factors.

Yes, interoperability with NATO is the main priority for their procurement processes.

That has never been mentioned as a significant factor in the upcoming decision. In fact the deputy minister of defense said all jets meet the requirements for Norway and emphasise the need to secure the development of Norwegian defense industry in the long term.

Norway’s TV2 yesterday reported that the choice is mainly between JSF and Gripen N now as they had a interview with the minister when he flew the Gripen in Sweden this week. The parent companies to JSF/Gripen offer better industrial contracts than the competition at the same time as EADS is losing interest. Gripen offering not only 35% more money in industrial contracts compared to LM but also 100% shared ownership and transparency on the new N model. I wouldn’t say the EF is out of the game just yet but Gripen N is starting to make it to the #2 slot for sure.

The Algerian deal for Su-30 was a done deal. No way they will buy rafale. Its just too costly for them.

The SU-30’s would be offseted against Russian loans. Same plan was for the transfer of Rafale’s. To offset against French loans to Algeria.

So.

NG is the one thats teaming up with L3 and being funded by LMA on contract , that is why you see the Apg-77 being worked upon and not the Apg-79 which is a product of Raytheon.

Ah! roger that.

It’s not a fighter it’s a sub-sonic trainer. There might be a light-attack version too in the future but that’s speculation on the web.

It started as a joint project with Russia based on the Mikojan I-2000 design but Russia backed out. Iran have bought rights to the design, since then the project is delayed but talk is about a first flight next year.

They have really not advanced much at all in aerospace design. The components come from Russia/ukraine still.

About european AESA: euros still didnt managed to get it operational.

If you mean fighter jets. USA is the world leader in operational AESA’s for fighter jets, they are also using a much larger machine park while European countries can not allow for a significant number of jets to be ‘test beds’ just because someone said AESA is the latest cool kit on the market.

What is interesting is operational functionality using quality proven products available today. France, Sweden, UK have all flown AESA demonstrators but just because it’s “AESA” doesn’t make it any better than the current mature operational system. Russia has a small fleet too so I suppose they to wish to wait for their AESA products to mature.

The JAS 39’s PS05 Mk3 is already the strongest operational multifunction radar in Europe today at 160km bvr capability + a decent SAR, and while a AESA is possible to install the aim is to enhance the current one in ground modes with high resolution SAR and autonomy, and further advance the AESA technology during this time.

The roadmap is all the way to 2025, by 2012 the first AESA is to be operational and by 2015 the breakthrough Saab Ericsson Multi-sensor integrations suite with a multichannel AESA/EW is to be available. This is the funded SwAF plan, if a foreign customer would like to buy a AESA Gripen much earlier, then they can, it just won’t be a significant step up from the current radar.

You can either produce them yourself (read you need develop special technology and build special plant) or you have to sponsor these big manufactures a building of special production line, at which point its cheaper to build that line in your country anyway. This is also a problem for European AESA manufactures.

Err… ever heard of a little company called Ericsson ? They are currently focused on reducing the size of the modules but still increase effect. So far they have demonstrated an array with 15,000 TR modules. Nothing says that one will go into a fighter jet radar but fact is they are developing the components for the multi-channel AESA to the Swedish NORA III Programme.

You don’t do breakthroughs with baby-steps…