A.P. Richelieu
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https://www.nyteknik.se/fordon/nu-har-det-andra-gripen-e-planet-lyft-6940485
Johan Kristensson
On Monday morning, the second test aircraft lifted the new generation Gripen. A lot of features have been added compared to the first copy.
The test flight began in Linköping at 9.50 on Monday morning and lasted for 33 minutes. It is the second airborne specimen in Saab's new generation fighter aircraft, Gripen E.
Within the Swedish defense it will be called Jas 39 Gripen E. A dual seat variant called Gripen F has also been ordered by Brazil.
Test pilot was Robin Nordlander, with 30 years of flying experience in his luggage. He describes the day as "amazing" with shining sun, some degrees of minus and blue sky. The aircraft showed the same stable behavior as the first test aircraft that made its maiden voyage one and a half years ago.
"What we want to arrive at and expect is that the aircraft behave the same. And I did not feel any differences. So it felt really good, he says.
The second example of Gripen E has new features
Eighty-one sorties have so far been completed with the first test aircraft. In this second copy, called 39-9, a lot of features have been added, both hard and software based, Robin Nordlander says.
- We have added a number of computers and changed the configuration of some of the existing ones. It is also brand new software compared to 39-8. We have a new rescue system, which means new chair with new oxygen supply system, brand new radio system, more navigation features and a new display, "he says.
The differences compared to the first test level are therefore quite extensive. New features are introduced afterwards. Anything else is hard to imagine, according to Robin Nordlander.
"It's not possible to complete the first flight when it comes to spearhead technology. Then you shoot yourself in the foot. You want to pick up the aircraft as soon as possible to control the aerodynamic properties and all the basic flight systems. But in parallel we drive a lot of system development in rigs on the ground. Then we will lift the tactical systems afterwards. Waiting too long to fly involves a risk. There are tight schedules in such a project, he says.
Have there been any unexpected events so far during the 80 air passes?
- No, there have been no such. It's special to me. When we discovered the previous generations A / B and C / D, there was some instability in the software at the beginning. Although E has looked good in the rigs, I had expected some features not to work clockwise. But the software has been ridiculously stable. To me, it is unthinkable and pleasing considering our tight schedules, "he says.
More focus on weapons testing
If the 39-8 flights have been the most important for verifying flight features, 39-9 will be increasingly focused on introducing tactical functions. However, some tests have already been made. For just a couple of weeks ago, for example, 39-8 flew for the first time with the Meteor missile. More weapons will be added in the future.
There are already extensive models developed for what happens when separating external loads in the form of weapons. But this must clearly be tested in reality as well.
A third and according to plan last specimens have been built and are undergoing ground tests. It will be ready for spring or summer. Then it's time to switch to the production of a pre-order. If the prototypes are possible to deliver to the customer is still unclear.
"They contain a lot of measuring points and associated cables and are built in a special way. They require significant modification to be delivered, "says Robin Nordlander.
Johan Kristensson
On Monday morning, the second test aircraft lifted the new generation Gripen. A lot of features have been added compared to the first copy.
The test flight began in Linköping at 9.50 on Monday morning and lasted for 33 minutes. It is the second airborne specimen in Saab's new generation fighter aircraft, Gripen E.
Within the Swedish defense it will be called Jas 39 Gripen E. A dual seat variant called Gripen F has also been ordered by Brazil.
Test pilot was Robin Nordlander, with 30 years of flying experience in his luggage. He describes the day as "amazing" with shining sun, some degrees of minus and blue sky. The aircraft showed the same stable behavior as the first test aircraft that made its maiden voyage one and a half years ago.
"What we want to arrive at and expect is that the aircraft behave the same. And I did not feel any differences. So it felt really good, he says.
The second example of Gripen E has new features
Eighty-one sorties have so far been completed with the first test aircraft. In this second copy, called 39-9, a lot of features have been added, both hard and software based, Robin Nordlander says.
- We have added a number of computers and changed the configuration of some of the existing ones. It is also brand new software compared to 39-8. We have a new rescue system, which means new chair with new oxygen supply system, brand new radio system, more navigation features and a new display, "he says.
The differences compared to the first test level are therefore quite extensive. New features are introduced afterwards. Anything else is hard to imagine, according to Robin Nordlander.
"It's not possible to complete the first flight when it comes to spearhead technology. Then you shoot yourself in the foot. You want to pick up the aircraft as soon as possible to control the aerodynamic properties and all the basic flight systems. But in parallel we drive a lot of system development in rigs on the ground. Then we will lift the tactical systems afterwards. Waiting too long to fly involves a risk. There are tight schedules in such a project, he says.
Have there been any unexpected events so far during the 80 air passes?
- No, there have been no such. It's special to me. When we discovered the previous generations A / B and C / D, there was some instability in the software at the beginning. Although E has looked good in the rigs, I had expected some features not to work clockwise. But the software has been ridiculously stable. To me, it is unthinkable and pleasing considering our tight schedules, "he says.
More focus on weapons testing
If the 39-8 flights have been the most important for verifying flight features, 39-9 will be increasingly focused on introducing tactical functions. However, some tests have already been made. For just a couple of weeks ago, for example, 39-8 flew for the first time with the Meteor missile. More weapons will be added in the future.
There are already extensive models developed for what happens when separating external loads in the form of weapons. But this must clearly be tested in reality as well.
A third and according to plan last specimens have been built and are undergoing ground tests. It will be ready for spring or summer. Then it's time to switch to the production of a pre-order. If the prototypes are possible to deliver to the customer is still unclear.
"They contain a lot of measuring points and associated cables and are built in a special way. They require significant modification to be delivered, "says Robin Nordlander.
