Saab Gripen, how does it rate?

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Final Historian RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 4/16/2003 9:10:52 PM

The Gripen is a good fighter, it is cheap and has lots of integrated technology, so it can work well with other units. But it lacks the punch power of other fighters, (and range IIRC). Its a defensive interceptor bird.

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Sikman RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 4/22/2003 12:13:08 AM

Its a nice little fighter for a nice little country like Sweden, it can hold its own against anything less than a Su-27.

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fimmer RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 4/23/2003 1:02:08 PM

tk73 "Does General Motors have an ownership in the aerospace part of Saab or is it only the automotive division?" No, the GM just bought the SAAB automobile diivision. But British Aerospace is a partowner of it now.

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bsl RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 4/23/2003 7:08:28 PM

"(The Grippen)...can hold its own against anything less than a Su-27." Er...but it wouldn't have to *face* anything less than Su-27s if the Swedes ever have to use it.

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Sikman RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 4/23/2003 7:56:45 PM

LOL true

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Thomas RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 5/7/2003 6:07:49 AM

The main problem with the Gripen (provided it doesn't fall down all by itself) is the development cost. Sweden has spent all their money on the Gripen - so in the event of an invasion the don't have the ground troops properly equipped.

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bsl RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 5/7/2003 7:29:00 PM

Sikman, Except, of course, for the Danish Menace.... lol

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Thomas RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 5/9/2003 3:40:30 AM

Sick or not sick: Why do You think we build the bridge. Denmark has made many invasion, and found out that they are much easier when you are wellcome :)

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giblets RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 5/9/2003 4:13:58 AM

As for fighting the Su-27, as per most of the other aircraft, a lot is down to the pilots, (i.e Iranian F-14 combat compared to USAF experience). not a bad 'light fighter' though.

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jacques RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 9/19/2003 5:38:41 AM

It is a very good aircraft. Let's break down things one at a time. 1. Stealth. It is a semi stealth aircraft kind of like the Rafale but just a little less sophislicated. It achieved low radar signature mainly due to its's small dimension. Which is also a plus in close in dogfight because small mean harder to see visually and presenting a smaller target for enemy cannon shells. 2. Agility and Speed. It has both. It is very manuevable and very quick. I believe it has 1.1 to 1 thrust to weight ratio. That make it a very quick aircraft. 3. Radar. It has Ericsson PS05 radar. A very capable radar operating modes cover long range search, multi-target track while scan, multiple priority target tracking, air combat quick search modes, raid assessment and BVR missile mid course updates. The air to surface modes include long range search/target identification, multiple priority target tracking, high resolution, real beam mapping, air to surface ranging and Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS). 4. Weapons. This plane can accept any known western air to air and air to surface weapons. 5. Datalink. It has becoming important nowaday. An air to air data link allows real time exchange of tactical data within and between co operating air units. In the attack and reconnaissance role, the data link allows radar derived surface data to be transferred from one Gripen to a group of radar silent attacking aircraft. Similarly enemy fighter positional data can be transferred, for example, to a Gripen on an attack or reconnaissance mission which can instantly transform to fighter mode with full defence capability. 6. Supportability. This plane can operate on remote strip with miminal support. All it take to keep it operating is 1 NCO airman and 9 fresh recruit to keep this bird flying. All done at a remote operating site NOT an air base. 7. It has internal ECM suite. It's biggest drawback is the combat radius. It has only 500 miles combat radius. That can be remedize with comformal tanks but then it will take a big bite out of it's performance. Overall it is a very good aircraft. People please stop bring the SU 27/35 into the equation. I am very unimpress with the Flanker. All those tales of its' invincibilities are nothing but myth. The Flanker is just a big brute bird that perform well at airshows infront of a whole bunch of civilians.

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Thomas RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 9/19/2003 7:36:36 AM

Jaques: All the pionts mentioned, you can get with a F-16A second hand with update. 10 mio. $ Why do you think the Danish Airforce don't bother looking at the thing???

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northenguy RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 9/19/2003 10:25:51 PM

Jacques mentions in his post that the Gripen can be serviced by one nco and 9 recruits at a remote site. The Swedes claim that not only can it be serviced under such circumstances but that an engine can be hot swapped in 20 minutes. This seems just a little too impressive. They have a whole strategy where by they have mobile units assembled and waiting for dispacth to remote strecthes of highway where these remote service services can be delivered. This fits in with their whole military strategy which is to rapidly deploy around the countryside in a defensive posture with small units suitably equipped. This works especially well in Sweden which has more than it's share of bumps and hills, trees etc. to hide behind. None of it would do a lick of good in Iraq though. I must say the Swedes seem remarkably unembarrassed about their inability to project their forces to Iraq. Seriously, it seems like a very good plane well suited for keeping around to defend your territory while your real airforce is off bombing and attacking targets like real airforces do.

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Interrested RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 9/20/2003 9:59:32 AM

The gripen is disigned for defensive perposes. At this job it's very capable. Little info: Close combat: Armament, Asraam, sidewinder and python 4, with Hmcd Delta canard is very agily lay-out. Due to low wingloading is has very good instant manouvering (roll/pitch) The t/w is currently at about unity at standaard air defense loading. (full fuel) This can be increased by installing the EF2000 (20000 LB 23000 optional)of the upgraded F414-GE-400 (22000 LB or 25400 uprated) Yes, the inlets will have to be modified. In the future: TVN will be available, equall to trance 3 typhoon TVN Furthermore, it's small!! Close in this will be a considerable advantage. BVR: It has currently a choise between the derby or a aim 120...meteor will be available. A new electronic scanned rader (amsaar tech) will be available. Data linking deminishes the need for a big radar and won't give your position away. Yes, the range is on the short side, but enough but it's purpose. New conformal tanks will increase on station time considerably. And NO the will NOT have a great drag penalty. COnformal F16 tank had about a 7-12 % increase in drag. The gripen will incure about the same penalty.

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Thomas RE:Saab Gripen, how does it rate? 9/22/2003 3:15:54 AM

Gripen is an utterly superfluous plane! First of all it export potential (yes I know it has been exported to South Africa; but under what conditions????) is nil. Secondly it is designed closely around a defence scenario that is not relevant any longer - its claimed flexibility is exaggerated - swing role plane with mission flexibility in the air? no range. Thirdly: The development of the Gripen has drained the Swedish defence budget to the extend, that the army has no resources - and the navy does not sail.

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jacques Thoma- Interrested-northenguy 9/22/2003 6:06:23 AM

Thomas I like to point out that the F16 is not as servicable as the Gripen. It doesn't have radar as capable as the Gripen. It is not as stealthy as the Gripen. No internal ECM it has to carry external ECM pods and chaff/flare dispensers. It doens't have datalink capability. Finally it is not a STOL aircraft. Denmark probably choose the F!6 becaus eof financial constrain. Interrested thank you for the hard data. It helped a lots to clarify the subject. Yes for the drag maybe it's not a major penalty. northenguy thank you for you reply and your inputs. The Gripen was built with a defense set of mind. Many countries in the world do not have ambition to project their power so they want a short range air force. The Gripen is an answer to their needs. As for Iraq: I can see where it can play a role. Let say that the usmc decide to have Gripen in their arsenal..they can take the Gripen into the field with them and have a compact portable airwing or let say that the raf decide to have a portable air force to provide ground support and battle field air defence for their troops in the fieled again the Gripen is an excellent choice. All and all Gripen is a very good airplane in my opinion.

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