Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 40 42 Saabs CEO Hkan Buskhe: We can and we will This is Gripen E Gripen E: The most important features Six users rely on Gripen How the multi-role concept evolved Saab Chief Test Pilot: Master of the skies Our philosophy is unique Gripen E: Just a few steps away A Grifn in the Swiss Alps Strategy expert Albert A. Stahel: Why does a nation need an air force? Former Commander Markus Gygax: A modern air force is vital Swedens Minister for Defence: A win-win partnership Gripen is combat-proven Gripen in action Swedens Social Democrats: We cant stand still How Swiss industry gains from Gripen Chairman Marcus Wallenberg: We are committed to partnership Contact us
6 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 7
This is Gripen E
Smarter and more capable
been relocated from the fuselage to the wing, allowing it to carry more internal fuel and enable the addition of two pylon stations to carry either extra radar-guided Meteor missiles, other weapons or additional fuel tanks. A more powerful engine provides more thrust, enabling greater acceleration and the ability to use less fuel at supersonic speeds. It can sustain such speeds without the help of an afterburner. A modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is built into Gripen Es nose cone. This active sensor is augmented by a passive Infrared Search and Track sensor (IRST). The AESA radar has a long range and a wide angle of detection and can even look backwards, while the IRST is a completely passive sensor, allowing Gripen E to detect targets without emitting energy. The new aircraft offers a revolutionary state-of-the-art avionics system, more powerful computers, and fast new communications systems. Gripen systems. Saab has developed its aircraft in small, manageable and financially viable steps. We are currently testing a twin-seater model called Gripen NG (New Generation) test aircraft. In October 2012, people in Switzerland saw the NG test aircraft for the first time, flown by Swiss and Swedish pilots during the Air Force live fire event, Axalp 2012. Gripen E improves on the performance of Gripen C: it offers extended range and stays in the air for longer. The landing gear has The Swedish Air Force denomination for Gripen is JAS 39 Gripen. JAS stands for Jakt, Attack och Spaning meaning that its a fighter aircraft (air-to-air combat), attack aircraft (air-to-ground) and a reconnaissance aircraft all in one. A genuine multi-role aircraft, air forces can prioritise whichever function is relevant to
them for a particular mission. In peacetime for example, it is mainly used in air policing roles. One of Gripen Es special qualities is that it can change its role at the push of a button while in flight, provided it carries the right equipment. This makes it an extremely modern, flexible and cost-effective aircraft. Saab has therefore managed to break the trend of fighters being more and more expensive, by producing a more capable aircraft at a lower cost. Smart solutions that intelligently combine hardware and software have been used to create the Gripen E. New functionality can be introduced to the aircraft by installing new software, and hardware components can be changed without affecting the rest of the aircraft. This is more cost effective and means that updates and upgrades can be performed much more quickly. Increasingly, we make use of widely available Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components, negating the expensive process of developing everything ourselves. Maintenance is also state-of-the-art. For example, turning around a Gripen in preparation for a fighter mission takes less than 10 minutes for a conscript crew, and if needed, the engine can be replaced and the aircraft can be airborne again within an hour.
In November 2011 the Swiss Government decided that Gripen E was the preferred aircraft for the future needs of the Swiss Air Force. When it is delivered in 2018, it will be one of the most modern ghters available on the market. Switzerland plans to procure 22 aircraft, and the Swedish Air Force has ordered 60 Gripen E, making the aircraft the backbone of its air defence. This jet is not an unknown quantity. Rather, it is a logical continuation of the proven earlier
8 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 9
Gripen E
The most important features
and the possible lines of action, thereby supporting the pilots decision making.
6 10 external hardpoints: for carrying 1 New avionics concept: safety critical and
mission functions are seperated from each other. This allows mission functions to be upgraded rapidly without having to re-test safety critical functions. In addition, modularisation enables integration of customer programmes and software. Extensive growth potential in computer capacity. Using off the shelf components from third party suppliers reduces the risk of the system becoming obsolete, and ensures costs are kept low. range, gives the ability to remain in the air for longer, and allows the aircraft to carry more external weapons and stores.
air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, surveillance pods and targeting pods, and additional fuel tanks. F414G: the same as used by the U.S. Super Hornet.
10 2 7
3 Air-air refuelling probe. 4 A wider and longer body with the landing
Scanned Array (AESA) radar system produced by Selex ES. With an upgraded ability to follow different targets, it provides a higher range and angle coverage and is more resistant to disruptive enemy action. (IRST): can detect targets by their heat signature, allowing Gripen to attain early situation awareness without emitting its own radar energy. self-defence system.
8
4 3 5 9 1 6 10
gear placed further out: allows the aircraft to carry more stores under the fuselage. Enhances air-to-air combat in particular.
extremely good situation awareness, and also helps in analysing the tactical situation
10 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 11
Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots School operates Gripen for test pilots worldwide. Brazil has also opted for Gripen. Saab has delivered successful industrial cooperation in Hungary and South Africa and continues to do so in the Czech Republic.
IN 1987 DURINg THE COLD WAR, 4,270 WARSAW PACT AIRCRAFT WERE BASED WITHIN 15 MINUTES EAST OF SWEDEN
SIPRI
of common design, says Bengt Littke, Senior Advisor, Gripen Export. As an example, the conceptual study for the Saab 37 Viggen, which was being developed during the 60s and 70s, resulted in the vision for a common-type aircraft. The Viggen system eventually matured into four operational versions. Each of them had a clearly defined secondary role. Early in the studies for the Gripen fighter, it was realised that advances in electronics now enabled the design of avionics that could fully support the vision of a multi-role aircraft, says Littke. This enabled any aircraft in the fleet to carry out fighter, fighter-bomber or reconnaissance missions. The multi-role Gripen and its increased capabilities allowed fewer aircraft to meet the same threats. A lot of effort was also put into creating a robust design that reduced failures to a minimum and allowed for easy and rapid maintenance of the aircraft. Adapting to budget constraints, the Swedish Air Force recently decided to consolidate and optimise its operations. With the closure of airbases, they needed an aircraft with greater operational range and more advanced capabilities and so Gripen E was born.
16 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 17
I HAVE FLOWN ABOUT 40 DIFFERENT FIgHTER JETS AND NONE OF THEM OBEY ME AS PRECISELY AS THIS ONE.
Richard Ljungberg
TODAY THE ASSEMBLY TEAM DOES ITS WORK COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPERVISION.
Matti Olsson
18 Gripen Handbook
He tells this anecdote to show how Saab thinks. By the mid-1980s and the end of the Cold War, it was obvious that future defence budgets would be less generous, so Saab intensified its efforts to make the fighter even smarter. After all, it had to distinguish itself from competitors in the big producer nations.
Gripen Handbook 19
IN CONTRAST TO ITS COMPETITORS, SAAB HAS ALWAYS ENHANCED ITS AIRCRAFT ON A CONTINOUS BASIS.
Richard Smith
20 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 21
Gripen is the Swedish word for Grifn, a mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. The Grifn is also the main element of the Saab logotype. This picture shows Gripen in front of the Matterhorn. An armasuisse pilot sits in the front of the cockpit and a Saab test pilot sits in the back. In a report by Swiss TV, the Swiss pilot says: I have to praise the versatility of Gripens capabilities, both in peacetime as well as in periods of tension and conict. It complements the existing F/A-18 in an ideal way.
T U ES
AR TI C LE
A STATE CAN ONLY EXIST IF IT CAN PROTECT ITS TERRITORY AND ITS PEOPLE WITH ARMED FORCES.
Albert A. Stahel
24 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 25
T U ES
AR TI C LE
Gripen communicates efficiently with other aircraft and with the ground forces
THE F/A-18 FLEET IS TOO SMALL TO PROTECT OUR AIR SPACE OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.
Markus Gygax
26 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 27
A win-win partnership
Swedens Minister for Defence Karin Enstrm talks about Gripen
The purchase of Gripen is a government to government affair. In August 2012 the Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency, FXM, and armasuisse signed a framework agreement that set out the basics. Sweden and Switzerland will together procure Gripen E, which will be beneficial for both countries. The Swedish Parliament has given their approval for the armed forces to buy Gripen and the government has subsequently decided on the procurement of 60 aircraft. In February 2013, FMV, the Swedish Defence Material Administration, signed an agreement with Saab worth 6.9 billion francs. It allows Saab to put Gripen E into production and includes the delivery of 60 fighters for Sweden and 22 fighters for Switzerland (assuming that the country does indeed go ahead with the purchase). This will include mission-specific equipment as well as support and maintenance equipment. Swedens Karin Enstrm strongly believes in the countrys need for an effective air force: Because of todays security situation, Sweden needs armed forces that can both defend Swedish territory and allow us to participate in international missions. The armed forces need to be capable of meeting such challenges, and this means having an air force that others respect and that we can trust to fulfil its missions. Our investment in the next generation of Gripen will strengthen our future air defences. With two industrialised countries of similar sizes working together, Karin Enstrm sees advantages for both of them: This is a win-win partnership. It will give Switzerland and Sweden the chance to acquire a highly advanced fighter aircraft at a lower cost, and create synergies in areas such as training, operations and logistics. There will be many opportunities for cooperation between our nations air forces.
Swedish fighters (Gripen E/F test aircraft in the foreground and Gripen D in the background) above the Swedish coastline Swedish Minister for Defence Karin Enstrm
28 Gripen Handbook
THERE WILL BE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR NATIONS AIR FORCES.
Karin Enstrm
Gripen Handbook 29
Gripen is combat-proven
The Swedish and Czech Air Forces on Gripen
The Swedish Air Force proved itself in battle as part of the NATO mission over Libya, participating in reconnaissance missions and in securing the no-y zone. Eight of Swedens Gripen were armed and ready for combat if attacked. The information they delivered was crucial for combat missions flown by other aircraft. The Swedish Air Force flew 40 percent of the reconnaissance missions during the conflict. Over the course of 650 deployments and nearly 2,000 hours of flying it captured 150,000 images. Canadas Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, who commanded the intervention in Libya, said: Swedish reconnaissance was the best in the coalition. Our aircraft proved fully compatible with the international forces equipment, says Micael Bydn, Swedish Air Force Chief of Staff. It was very well integrated into all systems and we were a full partner of the combined forces. Avionics and equipment were equal to those of the others. Reflecting on the experience he adds: like Switzerland, we have decided to be solely responsible for the protection of our own airspace. We have succeeded very well with Gripen so far. We can train our own personnel,
30 Gripen Handbook
take care of our own maintenance and take off and land almost everywhere in the country. The Swedish Air Force is also a voice heard by Saab when it comes to future developments. The Czech Air Force also operates Gripen. It has twelve Gripen C and two Gripen D (two-seaters). This is not enough to fulfil all our missions, states Ji Verner, Czech Air Force Commander. So we have to prioritise. Currently we only undertake air policing tasks. We are ready at any time, 24/7. Verner likes Gripen not only for its flight performance and avionics, but also because its a complete system. The radar, sensors, weapons, training and maintenance all work smoothly together. Even the pilots suit, helmet and underwear are part of the system, which has a positive influence on cost and operational performance. I would also like to stress our great cooperation within Gripen user countries, Verner says. In the meantime, Czech pilots gained so much experience that they were asked to fly air policing missions in the Baltic region during 2009 and 2012, with four aircraft and 67 and 64 airmen respectively. Further such missions are also planned over Iceland in 2014.
Gripen Handbook 31
Gripen in action
The Czech Air Force has performed several air policing missions over the Baltic States. Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia dont have their own air policing capabilities, so other NATO members rotate responsibilities.
//UNCLASSIFIED//
10
15 metres
Gripen NG test aircraft above Sweden Head of the Security Committee Peter Hultqvist
34 Gripen Handbook
WE NEED THE NEW AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT HAS EVOLVED.
Peter Hultqvist
Gripen Handbook 35
cooperation. If such a Swiss company is producing the same components for a third party customer to Saab this is also counted under direct industrial cooperation. If Saab or other companies do non-Gripen related business, it is called indirect cooperation. This type of business consists mainly of industrial and infrastructure contracts, energy and environmental projects, technology transfer and joint research & development activities. Direct cooperation makes even more sense if it helps to create production capacity in Switzerland and if knowledge is transferred, says Lennart Sindahl, Head of Saab Business Area Aeronautics. The aim is for Switzerland to be able to maintain its fighters as autonomously as possible, as well as to increase the value of the Gripen system. Saab will award design, development and production of significant parts of the Gripen E fuselage to an industrial consortium. Indirect deals however, will make up the lions share of the total offset business. armasuisse, in cooperation with the Offset Office in Bern, assures that all requirements are met. In line with armasuisse guidelines, Saab is committed to delivering a regional distribution of offset, with 5 percent in Italian-speaking, and
DIRECT COOPERATION MAKES SENSE IF IT CREATES PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND IF KNOWLEDGE IS TRANSFERRED.
Lennart Sindahl
Gripen Handbook 37
30 percent in French-speaking Switzerland. At the same time, all compensation business has to be purely based on competitive grounds. This is because the business is designed to be long-term and to strengthen Swiss industry. Principles for industrial cooperation should be evaluated well in advance in order to be implemented as quickly as possible after the Gripen E contract is signed. From this point on, Saab and its partners, including Gripen subcontractors, will have ten years to deliver. The aim of such deals is sustainable growth through long-term partnership, says Sindahl. Saab has agreed with armasuisse to deliver contracts worth 300 million francs before the Gripen E contract is signed by the Swiss and Swedish governments. True to its word, by February 2014 Saab had already arranged for business with 125 Swiss companies, valued at 400 million francs. Many of these companies are small and medium size companies. But even when a contract goes to a large company, Saab makes sure that this company works together with smaller sized subsuppliers. armasuisse has to date analysed and accepted 247 million as offset transactions and continues to investigate the remaining business.
Gripen Handbook 39
40 Gripen Handbook
Gripen Handbook 41
Contact us
Saab AB Effingerstr. 3 P.O. Box 7865 CH-3001 Bern Visitors: Effingerstr. 3 CH-3011 Bern +41 31 312 07 07 Richard Smith, Gripen Switzerland Campaign Director richard.smith@saabgroup.com +46 73 418 42 41 Henry Johansson, VP Gripen, Switzerland henry.johansson@saabgroup.com +41 79 762 68 77 Mike Helmy, Gripen Switzerland Communications & Marketing Manager mike.helmy@saabgroup.com peter.sjostrom@saabgroup.com Useful addresses
armasuisse, competence centre for the procurement of systems and equipment for the armed forces: www.ar.admin.ch/internet/armasuisse/en/home.html Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport: www.vbs.admin.ch/internet/vbs/en/home.html Swiss Air Force: www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/en/home.html Swedish Ministry of Defence: www.government.se/sb/d/2060 FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration: www.fmv.se/en FXM, Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency: www.fxm.se/en The Swedish Air Force: www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/our-organisation/our-forces/the-swedish-air-force
Photography
armasuisse/Swiss Air Froce (1, 22/23), Emiel Sloot (12/13), Remo Hediger (17, below), South African Air Force (21, top), Jamie Hunter (28), Jan Cadil (32)
We thank everybody who agreed to be interviewed for this handbook. All quotes reflect the personal opinions of their authors and may differ from Saabs view point. www.gripen.ch | www.saabgroup.com