From: tomas_e@NMRVAX.Physchem.KTH.SE (Tomas Eriksson)
Subject: Re: Advanced JAS 39 Gripen
Organization: Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 18:50:22 GMT


From tomas_e@NMRVAX.Physchem.KTH.SE (Tomas Eriksson)

d89-den@ludd.luth.se (David Eliasson) writes:

>In Sweden there have been some rumors going about a hotter version off the JAS
>39 Gripen with a even more powerful version of the F 404 engine. What i have
>heard it should already be flying. If there is somebody who nows something
>about this can be nice two give me a answer.

The idea of a C version of Gripen, JAS39C (the A version being the one 
going into serial production next year, one-seat multi-role fighter, and
that presently exists as five flying prototypes, and the B version being
a two-seat fighter/trainer now finally ordered and under development) is
not a new one. This version would have a more powerful engine, updated
electronics, and could replace the A & B versions in production from,
say, 2000 or 2001, provided that the Swedish airforce wants to start
replace it's later Viggen aircraft (and has money to do so).

Recently, I've heard the C version mentioned as a possible export 
version. This could be a misunderstanding on the part of some 
journalists, since it couldn't possibly be available for several years.

When you talk about "flying", do you refer to the engine or the 
aircraft? A Gripen fitted with another engine is definitely *not* 
flying, but I'm uncertain about a "hotter" F-404.

The modified F-404 (increased power and otherwise adapted to a 
one-engine fighter), produced under license in Sweden by Volvo Flygmotor 
(Swedish designation RM14 or something like that) is *not* identical to 
the F-404 in an F/A-18. I guess it would take several years to make 
corresponding modifications to a new engine, verify it, and put a 
modified aircraft on the production line.

SAAB has also compared the measures of the engine developed for the EFA, 
to the dimensions of a Gripen, and they think that it would be possible 
to put that engine in an only slightly modified Gripen. (If Germany 
would like to buy a modified Gripen for Luftwaffe, now that EFA in its
present shape seems not to be an alternative.) Possibly, some journalist 
could have confused the original ideas for a C version with this 
possibility.

>If somebody nows something about what Radar missile it looks like they should 
>buy too JAS 39 Gripen can also give an answer. Also in this qustion i have 
>heard some rumors about the Swedish airforce should buy some French missile?
>Happy fore an answer.
  
Originally, there were four possible choices: develop a Swedish missile 
(this alternative was dropped early, since it would be *very* 
expensive - and the Swedish missile industry has no experience in 
producing air-to-air missiles), or participate in the development of 
Active Skyflash (a British missile), or buy AMRAAM or Matra Mica (a 
French missile).

Since RAF was buying AMRAAM, it looked like AMRAAM and Matra Mica were 
the only alternatives (since the Swedish airforce would have to pay for 
almost all of the development of Active Skyflash), but now it looks like 
the RAF is interested in Active Skyflash again, due to escalating costs 
and problems in fitting AMRAAM to their Tornado fighters. (There was an 
article in Military Technology about this recently.)

I don't know the relative costs of the three missiles, or the relative 
performance, but there are a few things that speak *against* AMRAAM. USA 
hasn't really been a good missile supplier to deal with. The Swedish 
airforce isn't allowed to move one screw on their Sidewinders, aren't
allowed to modify it, and has to account for each missile. It's almost 
like they weren't really paid for... and there were serious delays 
before the airforce finally could get AIM-9L in mid-1980's. This isn't 
really the kind of experience that makes you look forward to doing 
business with that supplier again... There also has been some rumours to 
the effect that Finland was told that they would not be allowed to buy 
AMRAAM from USA if they choose Gripen (or Mirage 2000 for that part) as
their new fighter, instead of F-16C or F/A-18 (they choose F/A-18). My
guess is that Matra Mica will be missile picked for Gripen, provided
that it comes with a reasonable price tag, and that there are no serious
technical problems with it. This will accomplish
(1) buying a missile you really own, and can do whatever you wish with, 
(2) having a medium-range air-to-air missile that any country that 
choose to buy JAS39 Gripen will be guaranteed to get access to (the 
French minister of defence has made this clear),
(3) getting some kind of revenge on USA (you will never hear this motive
spoken aloud, though),
(4) establishing closer links between Swedish and other European defence
industry (which both the Swedish government and the Swedish defence 
industry wants).

Tomas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomas Eriksson                                          tomas_e@physchem.kth.se
            Surface Force Group, Department of Physical Chemistry,
               Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomas Eriksson                                          tomas_e@physchem.kth.se
            Surface Force Group, Department of Physical Chemistry,
               Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

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