Saab unveiled its Gripen Aggressor concept today at DSEI 2017. The new variant is intended to perform realistic air combat training, and is being pitched to meet the UK MOD’s Air Support to Defence Operational Training (ASDOT) and United States Air Force’s Adversary Air (ADAIR) requirements.
Recognising the growing segment within the adversary air combat training market for highly advanced aggressor capabilities, Saab is offering a new variant of its Gripen C fighter, customised for the dissimilar air combat training ‘aggressor’ role, retaining the frontline aircraft’s advanced sensor and datalink capabilities, but without armament.
Saab claim that the Gripen Aggressor brings a unique mix of high performance, mission flexibility and availability combined with a low life cycle cost, and describe the Gripen Aggressor as the ultimate platform for the adversary air combat training market.
Aggressor or adversary aircraft act as opposing forces (or ‘Red Air’) during combat training. Aggressor pilots emulate enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures in order to provide a realistic threat for an air force’s pilots to train against.
Saab have identified a major disparity in the capabilities provided by today’s aggressors and what the need will be in the future. “In order to train as you fight, you need to fly advanced combat tactics against peer and near peer opponents,” says Richard Smith, head of Gripen marketing & sales at Saab. “Essentially world class pilots need to train against world class opponents and that is the Gripen Aggressor.”
The Gripen could certainly provide a dissimilar, near-peer adversary for RAF and USAF fighter pilots to train against, but some question whether marketing the aircraft as an Aggressor might not undercut Saab's efforts to market the type as a viable modern frontline fighter, since the adversary role has often been carried out by older, obsolescent types.



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I am curious if any aggressor program comes to fruition or if they decide they can make due with F-16's for real play and use simulators for the higher end threats. F-35 simulators are high quality deals and there is an inherent issue with trying to simulate low observable threats with anything short of another LO aircraft.

My guess is nothing gets bought. Certainly not a new aircraft type.

What kind of competition is this? Could it be a privately operated a/c to provide adversary training just like some companies in the US (Mirage F-1 spring to mind) are providing. If that is the case, it doesn't matter if these a/c a new to the inventory.

Dutchy wrote:

What kind of competition is this? Could it be a privately operated a/c to provide adversary training just like some companies in the US (Mirage F-1 spring to mind) are providing. If that is the case, it doesn't matter if these a/c a new to the inventory.

Some info on contracts coming for USAF Aggressor training.

http://www.combataircraft.net/2017/03/16/usaf-gears-up-for-huge-red-air-contracts/

Some interesting points about Draken including the following,

‘With Draken we can provide fourth-generation adversaries (electronic attack pods, radars, etc) for a fifth of the operating cost of an F-16 or F-15. That is the value of our service. We deliver enhanced training for a much, much lower cost. If we were to purchase F-16s, we would not be able to offer any cost savings at all.

I'd say based on their remarks that a new build Gripen is still going to be too expensive for them to operate. The threat can be simulated close enough with the Skyhawks and L-159s and let the advanced simulators handle the very high end threats and adversary stealth platforms.

A couple of the other Aggressor vendors are looking at used F-16s but these will obviously come at a significantly lower cost.

It is set to acquire F-16 Fighting Falcons from an undisclosed source with the knowledge of the benefits such a platform would bring fourth- and fifth-generation fighter pilot training. It is understood to be aiming for four single-seat Block 10 F-16A models and two F-16B models, with plans for 10 in total, with the jets in question being described as having a ‘decent, low level of flying hours’. The potential fleet of ‘Vipers’ will be offered as aggressor trainers for NATO allies, as a capable threat at a fraction of the cost.

Perhaps Saab would entertain a leasing arrangement for an Aggressor vendor but that would require some long term contract stability and I doubt the USAF/USN would (or are even allowed to under procurement rules) sign a 10 year aggressor contract.

There's also the UK ASDOT requirement which has a pretty sizeable budget.

I understand that the Flygvapnet have excess JAS-39 A/Bs in storage.....perhaps those could be acquired and reconditioned/modified to suit the DACT role more economically -- as opposed to new-build frames?

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... mp-441330/

Devilfish wrote:

I understand that the Flygvapnet have excess JAS-39 A/Bs in storage.....perhaps those could be acquired and reconditioned/modified to suit the DACT role more economically -- as opposed to new-build frames?

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... mp-441330/

There are no excess Gripen A models remaining. Any new orders for Gripen are either new build C or E.

How are the leases getting along? Czech Republic, Hungary?

The Czech Air Force has operated 12 single-seat JAS 39C and two twin-seat JAS 39D aircraft since May 2005.​ The contract between the Czech and Swedish governments for the lease of the aircraft was signed in June 2004. The lease was extended until 2027 with a two-year option until 2029 in May 2014.

The defence and security company Saab is proud to announce that Hungary is taking a long-term strategic decision to continue operating Gripen and ensuring the continued development of its national capability. Sweden and Hungary are extending the cooperation for another ten years, until 2026.

http://saabgroup.com/sv/Media/news-pres ... -contract/

ok thanks, And Hungary, the same deal?