SAAB recently rolled out the all new Gripen “Demonstrator”, which has been developed over a two-year period. The aircraft was developed by SAAB to maintain a technologically advanced edge, which is aimed at keeping the Gripen in service until well into the new century. But did SAAB succeed in upgrading a 1980’s design to a true fourth generation fighter? We find out…
The SAAB Gripen was designed in the early 1980’s, and was destined to be the first true fourth -generation fighter. Although many have criticised the SAAB Gripen on earlier models’ range and weapons carrying abilities, SAAB have come to the party with all those short comings ironed out. The Gripen Demonstrator is according to SAAB, a mere stepping stone of better things to come in the future. The Demonstrator, which was rolled out on 23 April, is a development model of the Gripen C/D models, and is there to test extensive modifications that will ultimately be seen incorporated into the Gripen “NG” (Next Generation) aircraft.
But why would an aircraft viewed as a fourth generation fighter be upgraded for the future if certain aerospace experts in the U.S are certain that UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) will replace the manned fighter aircraft? The answer is simple, and was highlighted by Aerospace journalist, Bill Sweetman at the Gripen Demonstrator rollout ceremony in Sweden recently.A manned fighter aircraft force is a very important asset to Defence Forces world-wide. They provide the element of human decision making, and although UAVs could provide added capabilities, even being able to penetrate enemy airspace without being detected, it cannot provide that which manned fighters provide very successfully, in the form of a complete offensive and defensive package.
This includes things such as interoperability between fighter and mission controller, multi - role capability and a better decision-making element, which can only be brought on by complete situation awareness in a combat scenario.
Another subject that has sparked great debate between professionals, is the implementation and utilisation of Stealth technology. Defence experts in the U.S have taken a firm standpoint on the concept of stealth, stating that stealth is a key feature of modern fighters with which a defence force cannot go without. However, as mentioned by Bill Sweetman at the Gripen Demo rollout ceremony, this concept, although effective, cannot guarantee the success of any modern fighter. What makes a modern fighter superior, is the entire package. Things such as speed, multi-role functionality, manoeuvrability, information gathering and sharing, turnaround time, range, cost and weapons system capabilities are all factors that make a fighter an effective solution to Defence Forces.
We have seen the stealth trend being followed mainly by the U.S, developing aircraft such as the now retired F-117 Nighthawk, and ultimately aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor. Although the latter aircraft is extremely capable in it’s own ways, it lacks two very important elements of a fighter, namely cost effectiveness and sheer technical complexity; two factors that make it non viable to smaller air forces with reduced technical capability and budget. Small countries with limited defence budgets require cost effective solutions in order to operate modern fighters, and with the U.S Department of Defence ultimately spending up to $340 million per aircraft, future sales of this aircraft to smaller U.S allies are seriously in doubt. Many smaller countries, specifically on the African continent, usually resort to Soviet built fighters, which although not as up-to-date as modern fighters, provide an interim solution to their Air Forces’ needs. In addition to this, these Soviet fighters are very basic and easy to maintain, and require minimum personnel support to operate.
In addition to the sheer cost of machines such as this, there is a little matter of U.S and United Nations intervention in smaller countries. Throughout history we have seen the U.S and UN intervene in many conflicts in lesser-developed countries, and these countries could always rely on this intervention should they no longer be able to defend themselves. However, will they be able to rely on the U.S or UN to defend them in the future? The answer to that question can as yet not be answered, as the future is very uncertain, especially in these unstable times. With the U.S pre-occupied with the war in Afghanistan and Iraq and the U.N involved in operations in many
African countries, their capability to intervene elsewhere in the world is in doubt. Therefore, small countries must seek more technologically advanced weaponry in order to successfully defend themselves against any immediate threat should the need arise, without relying on the U.N, and SAAB has seemingly provided this solution in the form of the Gripen, costing less than half the price of an F-22, and being very simple to fly and maintain.
But although the Gripen is good in cost effectiveness, simplicity, quick turn around and short field capability, can it be considered to be a viable, true fourth generation fighter? Well, to answer that question we look at the Gripen’s most modern version, the Gripen Demonstrator (to become the Gripen NG).
SAAB has taken a good recipe for a fighter, and vastly improved it. Most differences aren’t as obvious as one would expect. In fact, all that is different externally, is the re-designed main landing gear, the extra hard points on the aircraft’s belly, and the slightly different looking after-burning nozzle which comes with the new engine. However, the most significant upgrades have taken place inside the aircraft.
As mentioned before, the Gripen Demo has been fitted with re-designed undercarriage, which has moved from the fuselage to the wing, making room for an additional fuel tank, giving the Gripen Demo a 40% increase in range and combat radius. The aircraft can now also carry two under-wing 450 US Gallon drop tanks thanks to a strengthened wing. The Gripen Demo has also been fitted with a brand new General Electric f414G afterburning turbofan engine, which delivers 25% more power than the original Volvo RM-12 engine used on A/B and C/D models, increasing the aircraft’s overall thrust performance and load carrying ability.
In addition to the new engine, the Gripen Demo also features a brand new radar system called the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned) Radar. Compared to a conventional mechanically- scanned antenna, an AESA offers greatly increased beam agility. This allows AESA radars to function faster, react more quickly and track many more targets than conventional radar. AESA radars can accurately track their targets while still maintaining watch for new targets over long ranges. They have better discrimination against multiple targets and are less likely to be defeated by target manoeuvres. In addition to these improvements, the Gripen Demo also features an improved avionics architecture, including helmet mounted display compatibility.
Gripen Test Pilots Mikael Siedl and Magnus Ljungdahl will be responsible for testing the Gripen Demo in flight, and they say that they are fully prepared to take the Gripen to the next level. “The first phase will be characterised by basic aircraft testing and standard envelope expansion. The redesign of the landing gear and the new engine means we are treating the Gripen Demo as a brand new aircraft type.” They expect to take the Gripen Demo airborne in the very near future.
In conclusion
The Gripen has proved itself to be a very good, cost effective and basic aircraft in the past. Even though it has been criticised by many experts, the Gripen Demo is sure to establish the Next Generation Gripen as a true fourth generation fighter, ready to take on some of the world’s best fighters.
