Defense Technology International - June 2008 - (Page 36)

UPDATE MAJOR PROGRAMS on the export marketing strategy behind the Gripen Demo, see DTI May, p. 40.) Maximum takeo weight of the NG will be 36,400 lb., almost one-fifth greater than the standard aircraft. The ﬁghter’s useful load of internal and external fuel and weapons will be 20,500 lb., one-third more than its empty weight. It did not escape notice that the Demo prototype was shown carrying 2,000-lb. laser-guided bombs and MBDA Meteor air-to-air missiles (AAM): the former cannot be carried internally on the JSF and the latter are not funded for integration in JSF systems development and demonstration. The Gripen team is talking to Boeing about the possibility of testing the GBU39/B Small Diameter Bomb from the Demo prototype. Also under development are two-round launchers for the Meteor missile. And there are indications that Saab Bofors may team with Kongsberg on the latter’s new Joint Strike Missile if Norway selects the Gripen. Saab expects the Gripen NG to be capable of supercruise—sustained supersonic ﬂight without afterburners—with an AAM load on board. Today’s Gripen can supercruise, “but only on a cold day in Sweden,” says Magnus Olsson, test pilot and marketing director. The Demo prototype, based on a JAS 39B airframe, is expected to ﬂy this year. It is not yet ﬁtted with the experimental Thales/Saab Microwave Systems active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which will be installed for tests in summer 2009, with customer demonstration ﬂights that fall. The goal is to develop an AESA radar that costs no more than current radar to buy, costs less to maintain and has a 50% greater detection range. The General Electric F414 engine on the prototype is a simple adaptation of the Super Hornet engine; development and qualification of a version tailored to the Gripen NG will take about three years, say GE representatives. The Gripen NG could be available in 2015, in time to meet Norwegian and Indian requirements. I To read posts about Gripen, go to DTI’s home page, AviationWeek.com/dti , and click on “Extras for this issue” under “DTI Interactive.” PAUL MCLEARY CONTRACTS ARE DUE FOR JLTV NAVISTAR It’s crunch time for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Prototypes include this vehicle program, the U.S. Army/Marine developed by Navistar and BAE. Corps e ort to introduce a family of vehicles to replace the aging and war-battered ﬂeet of light tactical wheeled vehicles, including the iconic Humvee. With the possibility of eventually producing some 200,000 vehicles, it’s a contract that all of the big contractors have bid. Six teams have developed prototypes in an e ort to win the contract. The number will be halved by the end of the month, as the Defense Dept. is expected to award three contracts for the 27-month technology demonstration phase. The JLTV line includes 10 subconﬁgurations based on three primary payload categories (DTI April, commodate lightweight composite arp. 14). Army documents stress that pro- mor materials. gram managers are looking for “comIn the running for the coveted three monality of components, maintenance slots are Lockheed Martin and BAE procedures and training between ve- Mobility and Protection Systems, which hicles and trailers” in the designs. Re- unveiled two prototypes: the Combat ports have leaked that designers are Tactical Vehicle infantry carrier, and being held to a few other speciﬁcations, the Utility Vehicle Light prototype. BAE such as incorporating an “electronic Ground Systems and Navistar showed backbone” to make it easier to install off a 16,000-lb. prototype; Northrop di erent kinds of communications gear Grumman and Oshkosh also developed a and having greater fuel economy than is vehicle design. Other teams in the runﬁelded in comparable vehicles. ning are Textron, Boeing and Science From what is known of some entries, Applications International Corp.; Force common features also include add-on Protection and DRS; and General Tactical armor protection so vehicles can ac- Vehicles, a partnership between General 36 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2008 Dynamics and AM General, which builds the Humvee. A March memo from the Pentagon comptroller’s o ce to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps asked, “What conceptual role will the JLTV play in the Army modular brigades, Marine combat regiments, and Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Teams?” No one appears to know how—or if—these questions will be answered by the winning teams this month, but with MRAPs eating up valuable budget dollars and bits and pieces of the FCS system coming closer to being on line, the question will likely rocket to the top of program managers’ lists. I AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Defense Technology International - June 2008

Defense Technology International - June 2008 Contents Around the World Science Watch Tech Watch Basic Black Self-Defense Fire-Resistant Perfezione Hyperspeed Trial Big Sky Cashing In Digital Links Hang Ten Sea Change Programs Update Two Steps Back Direct Hit Staying Power Potent Stinger Do No Harm Guard Duty The Net Cutting Edge First Person In Review Insight

Defense Technology International - June 2008

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