THE GRIPEN NG PROGRAM
The Gripen NG development program was conceived by Saab back in late 2005 as an important stepping stone towards what is today known as Gripen NG (Next Generation). In this program many new fundamental systems and capabilities for Gripen NG are flight tested and demonstrated as a proof-of-concept as well as for risk mitigation reasons. These new systems and capabilities can also form the basis for further upgrades of the current Gripen C/D fleet.
BACKGROUND
In early 2006 a goal was set for a first flight during 2008. It was also decided to split the program into two phases where tactical capabilities were to be introduced after a modification in a second phase, to be able to focus on the basic a/c systems and capabilities during the first phase.
All the tactical systems were to be flight tested
The overall goal with the flight test program for the first phase of the Gripen NG development program was to get maturity on all the new basic a/c systems and the changes to the airframe as well as to expand into a sufficiently large flight envelope to operate in during the second phase of the program when all the tactical systems were to be flight tested. Another significant goal was to get as much feed-back to the ongoing Gripen NG development as possible.
The first flight with the Gripen NG Demonstrator aircraft was performed at Saab in Linköping Sweden on the 27th of May 2008. The first phase of the flight test program focused on verifying the functionality in the general aircraft systems. During that phase other important areas such as super cruise, rate of climb, turn rate, external loads and fuel consumption were tested and verified with excellent results.
In addition to the tests mentioned above, noise-, and IR-signature measurements as well as photo sessions and evaluation flights with potential customers was performed. In total, 79 flights were performed during the first phase, which is impressive by any standards.
Phase two of the flight test program
After a modification period, phase two of the flight test program began on 27th October 2009. As mentioned earlier, the main focus of the second phase was to test and verify the functionality of the tactical systems. During that phase an AESA radar, a Missile Approach Warning System, and a SATCOM system was integrated and tested with excellent results. Apart from that, flight tests with a new, larger drop tank were performed with equally good results. In total, 73 flights were performed during the second phase, including international ferry flights and flight tests during hot and high conditions.
Next step is to fly the first avionics test bed. It will take to the air early this year and include flight tests of the new avionic system including the AESA radar ES-05 Raven. The new avionic system will have an architecture where flight critical and non-flight critical functionality is separated which in turn will facilitate for faster implementations of new functionality and capabilities.
Combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package
All of these tested and verified capabilities will then be used during the ongoing development of the Gripen NG, an aircraft that is revolutionary because it combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package that no other fighter aircraft can even hope to match.
Löysin aika monta "test" sanaa tuosta jutusta....