As the Indian government is on the edge to buy and make a new 4+ generation aircraft designed and developed by the foreign companies. In this 5 part series we look each fighter jet and what are they offering in a small and understandable format. Point to be noted that all these aircraft were part of the previous MMRCA tender which was cancelled by the Indian government. We begin with the first wolf in the pack the SAAB Gripen E made by Swedish giant SAAB. SAAB is offering the latest and a highly upgraded version of the original Gripen. The SAAB Gripen E or NG (New Generation) is a 4+ generation single engine, high maneuverable, multi role , light fighter. Engine This engine is made by a very well known engineering giant General electric. It is a turbofan engine it comes from a long line of F414 engine family used by a number of American and Indian military fighters of type like the F/A-18 and also our favourite the Tejas . It has the ability to supercruise (the ability to reach cruise at supersonic speed for long distance without the use of afterburners) Normal aircrafts without supercruise rely on short bursts from the afterburners to reach supersonic speed the Gripen E's engine allows it to cruise for a long distance and time and can achieve a speed of Mach 1.2 . Thanks to the Gripen E's design the full engine replacement can done in an hour which is the shortest time among all major combat aircraft. Due to the fact India already uses an engine from the same family it won't create logistical challenges. I Radar, Sensors and Communication Systems The Gripen E uses a Selex manufactured Raven AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar providing the Gripen a 100% view and look back (The power to scan the area behind the fighter ). The radar is made of a new technology called GaN which is used to make very powerful semiconductors which is in the radar allows it to generate more power which equals to better scanning and searching of targets. It has a range of 150 Km. It also houses a Rafael's Litening III Pod which is already used by a number of fighters of the Indian Air Force. It has a Modular Recon Pod System (MRPS) which is used for doing recon or in simple words spy on enemy targets or battlefield. The biggest advantage of the Gripen E is it's ability to perform network centric warfare the ability to communicate with other fighters and increasing the situational awareness in the battlefield. In this system the fighters can constantly share data with different fighters at real time. It has a RWR (radar warning receiver and MAW which stands for Missile approach warning it helps in identifying and warn the plot when the aircraft is receiving foreign radar signals or when a missile is fast approaching and can identify most type of missiles. These increase the aircraft's survivability. The advanced electronic warfare system used on the Gripen E allows it be used as missile,radar warning receiver and also can solely be used for the purpose of jamming and electronic attacks the fact that it can act as a passive radar makes it difficult to detect it. Down below is a slideshow of infograph on how these systems work. Cockpit The Gripen E contains a single 22 inch display system with three separate 3D displays. The Gripen E's display systems allows it to have video link with other aircraft or ground systems and it can communicate with AWACS or act as one. Of the three multi-function displays (MFD), the central display is for navigational and mission data, the display to the left of the center shows aircraft status and electronic warfare information, and the display to the right of the center has sensory and fire control information. In two-seat variants, the rear seat’s displays can be operated independently of the pilot’s own display arrangement in the forward seat, , Saab has stated that this ability as being very valuable during electronic warfare and recon missions, keeping in mind completing order and control exercises. The MFDs are changeable in case of failure, flight data can be displayed on any of the systems. The Gripen E uses the COBRA HMDS (Helmet Mounted Display System) system developed BAE systems, Denel optronics of South Africa and SAAB. Weapons The aircraft carries a single 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon. Due to SAAB's open architecture a number of weapons systems can be integrated. According to the designer's of Gripen E according to the customer's wish from where the weapons would be coming from it can be from Israel, America , South Africa etc. Although 100% of the European weapon's system can be integrated on the Gripen E . The picture above shows the type of weapons that can be integrated on the Gripen. What would India gain from selecting the Gripen E over other fighters ?
1. The defence minister did announce that a single engine fighter jet or a double engine fighter jet or even two different aircraft can be selected to be manufactured under the 'Make in India' program for the Indian Air Force. Now if India selects the Gripen E India would get not only GaN based radar technology as promised by SAAB which is going to be a game changer in the sub-continent. This is something which could seriously put the Chinese Air Force under pressure as the kind of technology which the Gripen E packs is not present on current 4th generation fighters of PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force). The Pakistani Air Force wouldn't have anything to counter the Gripen E's capabilities. And, would be at a dangerously disadvantaged position. SAAB has also promised to help India with the Tejas program along with the AMCA program. Under the 'Make in India' program the Indian defence industry would not only exposed to technology that can be used in combat but also new manufacturing processes and systems. It would lead to the creation of more than hundred's of small and medium enterprises for the supply of systems that are to be used in the aircraft resulting in huge amounts of job creation. 2. Since Sweden was under the constant threat of being invaded by the Soviet Union in case of a war so to maintain a minimal air defence capacity the Gripen is powered by engine which can help it take off from snow-covered landing strips requiring a minimal take-off distance of 800 meters. The Gripen has the lowest operation costs per hour which is $4,700 based on 2012 data by Jane's which actually lowest of all fighters taking part in this competition. The Gripen E has a turnaround rate of 10 minutes which means that under combat situations a team of 5 technicians and 5 conscripts can refuel, rearm and carry out minor inspections on the aircraft before sending it off to combat. The Gripen due to it's design and way it is made can allow the Indian Air Force to maintain a high availability rate which the Air Force is facing right now. SAAB is also offering a naval carrier based version of the Gripen which apparently the Indian Navy and Brazilian Navy has shown interest in. SAAB has also said that India would not only be the hub for manufacturing of the Gripen but also it will be a center for carrying out service and repair of Indian and foreign aircraft. With $85 million a piece the Gripen E is a deadly piece of art with a very few strings attached. Image Credits: click on the Image to get the links Written By- Sarthak Das make sure to like our facebook page. |
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