View Full Version : Sea Gripen anybody?
Flyingblind
16th Jan 2010, 02:40
Very interesting, thought I might share this bit of info.
Saab offers naval Gripen to India | StratPost (http://www.stratpost.com/saab-offers-naval-gripen-to-india)
bjornhall
16th Jan 2010, 09:58
Wouldn't this one fit the new British carriers rather nicely? Should be a lot cheaper than the F-35. Of course, capability would be lower too; depends on what one needs and can afford I suppose...
vecvechookattack
16th Jan 2010, 10:52
That would normally be an attractive option until you remember which British Company has a fairly large piece of the Saab pie.
Finnpog
16th Jan 2010, 10:57
Not only for the FAA - but wouldn't it represent a modernisation if not an improvement and be "Better" (not in a Top Trumps way) than the Harrier airframe now other than the VTOL capability
Rough Field? - Yup
Small Logs chain? - Yup
Swing role? - Yup
Useful for Rapid Reaction deployments prior to the infrastructure necessary for the Typhoon to come along?
Better or cheaper than the F/A-18 - ?
Not as 'good' or expensive as the F-35 - but still good for british jobs (if the deal is done right)
UKFAAROCKS
16th Jan 2010, 19:45
this is a tangent to this thread, Was a Marinised version of 'Typhoon' ever officially designed??
MarkD
16th Jan 2010, 21:32
Might be an excuse to jam in an EJ200 in preference to the current F414...
Not_a_boffin
17th Jan 2010, 09:34
this is a tangent to this thread, Was a Marinised version of 'Typhoon' ever officially designed??
Yep - complete with ventral periscope (!) to cure the AoA/glideslope/meatball visibility problem!
GreenKnight121
17th Jan 2010, 19:42
Ummm... BAe wrote out a proposal, and estimate, complete with their ideas to address the various problems, and estimates of time/cost.
However, no one spent the multiple of millions of Pounds, Euros, or Dollars to actually do the design work.
Gainesy
18th Jan 2010, 09:20
Fairy Delta/Concorde-type droop snoot was one option (of many) I understand, there again, its quite easy to design a glossy brochure, doing the engineering however...
fallmonk
19th Jan 2010, 16:08
Didnt think any modern airforce would considered a single engined fighter for blue water operations now a days and yes i know the F-35 is single engined but its VTOL abilitys give it special abilitys .
For the record i like it and think its a great aircraft and i like even more the idea off not being wholey depenedant on the USA for parts/software(esp after the chinook code problems)
If they had or do invest the Eurofighter naval version could tick the boxes , off course there will be a lot to overcome
Off course its only my personal opinion
Gainesy
19th Jan 2010, 16:25
but its VTOL abilitys give it special abilitys .
Sorry, don't understand that, apart from the ability to keep most of the wreckage in one pile.:confused:
Droop snoot ref above was in regard to Typhoon BTW>
Double Zero
19th Jan 2010, 16:36
Gainesy,
Think positive !
The VTOL capabilities do allow another ' Plan B ' ( as long as your single engine is working ) - remember Lt Ian ' Soapy ' Watson & the ship ' Alraigo ' ?
WeekendFlyer
20th Jan 2010, 01:02
Now that the USA have very unhelpfully blocked all foreign access to F-35 software source code, a navalised Gripen could be a very good alternative option!
It is a very neat little aircraft, and the Swedes have put some great design features in to it.