Gripen blog
Earlier this month, three Czech Gripen pilots trained for air-to-air refuelling during an international exercise in Sweden, reports afbcaslav.cz. Officially called the International Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Conversion Training, the exercise was conducted from 2nd to 6th November.
On April 18, 2005, the first six JAS-39C Gripen single-seat supersonic combat airplanes bearing the roundels of the Czech Republic landed at the Čáslav Air Base. On July 1, 2005, the Gripen fighters became a part of the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS, later NATINAMDS – NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System), succeeding their MiG-21 MFN predecessors. By the end of August, all the airplanes – 12 single-seaters and a pair of two-seaters – had been delivered.
Gripen and its predecessors have been championing in the area of low cost per flight hour for decades. With Gripen, it's about focusing on what's necessary and making the most of basic requirements, while keeping the overall costs to a minimum. However, it is also important to point out that the cost-effectiveness of Gripen does not compromise its performance.
On 26th October, a Symposium to present Gripen E was held by the Brazilian Air Force. The event was promoted by COMPREP (Preparation Command) along with Saab. The purpose of this event was to present the main characteristics of the new Brazilian Gripen E to pilots and members of Air Units of Fighter Aviation, reports Poder Aereo.
In an episode of the Fighter Pilot Podcast, former lieutenant in the Swedish Air Force, Mikael “Duke” Grev, talks about his first impression of Gripen, most memorable mission, favorite thing about the fighter and more.
In a triple celebration, the new Brazilian Gripen E (F-39E) was presented on Aviator's Day and the Brazilian Air Force Day which was held at Wing 1, Brazil, on October 23rd. The event was attended by important figures including Jair Bolsonaro and Fernando Azevedo e Silva, the Brazilian President and Brazilian Defence Minister, respectively.
In a recent interview by czdefence.cz, Petr Tománek, commander of the 21st Tactical Air Force Base in Čáslav, gives a detailed account of the Czech Gripen, and sheds light on what it is like to operate the multi-role combat aircraft.
On October 14, the Swedish Defence Ministry outlined a defense bill that covers an increase in the defence budget for 2021-2025 by over 40%. This is the largest increase in the defence capability of the country in 70 years, reports Defence Hub. Among other things, the new bill, which is set to become a law by February 2021, will have a direct impact on the extension of service years (beyond 2030) of the Swedish Gripen C/D fighters.
Saab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ). The MoU aims to strengthen the collaborative effort between Saab, the Canadian industry, as well as universities and other research organizations through the Gripen contract.
Flexible deployability and short take-off capabilities were part of Gripen's design from the beginning. These capabilities were inherent from earlier Saab fighters that came before Gripen which were designed to operate in Bas 90 system. The system, created during Cold War, uses a dispersed air basing strategy to make surprise attacks difficult for the opponent. What we see in Gripen today is an enhanced version of these inherent capabilities backed by the best logistics support.