The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[ytz]

Re-read what I wrote again.

Can castlegar handle 11 fighters as part of hypothetical tutor replacement?

Define "handle".

 

[quadrapiper]

And the Aurora fleet was probably capable of covering more with fewer aircraft. The Argus literally had a reciprocating engine and vacuum tube electronics.

The numbers game is just silly. Especially in the age of drones. A single Global Hawk can survey 100 000 square kilometers in 24 hrs.

Not sure that endurance or range (setting drones aside) improved with the Auroras. Certainly able to "see" more in whatever patch of ocean it's flying over, of course, but did coverage get so much better with the Auroras as to negate the smaller numbers?

 

[JLB50]

I found this to be an interesting read.

Gripen E vs F-35? The Wrong Question to Ask

Mikael Grev is a former Gripen pilot and co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. In this column for Nordic Defence Sector, he compares the Gripen E and the F-35, arguing for a more nuanced view of fighter capabilities, procurement choices, and the strategic benefits of operating a mixed fleet.

nordicdefencesector.com

 

[YZT580]

Not sure that endurance or range (setting drones aside) improved with the Auroras. Certainly able to "see" more in whatever patch of ocean it's flying over, of course, but did coverage get so much better with the Auroras as to negate the smaller numbers?

we downsized everything and it wasn't because the new aircraft were more efficient since looking for subs is a tedious task. The Argus used to shut two down on routine patrol to extend the patrol time and those old reciprocal engines were plenty adequate for the task. We were just in the process of going cheap on everything. We went from 266 CF101 and CF104s down to 138 CF18s and reduced the number of squadrons in Europe. We also phased out the F5 so I wouldn't attribute the reduction in numbers from the Argus as better efficiencies but just Canada being cheap.

On the side, tubes work great by the way. The very best sound amps. were always tube-based.

 

[Rainbow1910]

I found this to be an interesting read.

Gripen E vs F-35? The Wrong Question to Ask

Mikael Grev is a former Gripen pilot and co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. In this column for Nordic Defence Sector, he compares the Gripen E and the F-35, arguing for a more nuanced view of fighter capabilities, procurement choices, and the strategic benefits of operating a mixed fleet.

nordicdefencesector.com

The author addresses this somewhat in their article however for fully transparency's sake, Mikael Grev is a former Gripen pilot and co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. Avioniq is a software company founded and ran by former Gripen pilots, who have been closely involved with Saab for years at this point. He wasn't just a former Saab pilot, but his company works very closely with Saab and continually gives full throated endorsements on their website.

Below is from their website:

Former Gripen pilots develop artificial intelligence software for the military aviation arena. A unique combination of expertise facilitates tailor-made products and cost-effective improvements in combat effectiveness.

Avioniq was founded in 2015 by a group of experienced Gripen pilots, computer engineers and doctors in sensor fusion and behavioral science. The company is an innovator in advanced software systems for aircraft, specializing in AI-based decision support for fighter pilots and air combat commanders in the military aviation arena.

The development work is led by co-founder, programmer and former Gripen pilot, Mikael Grev. The main goal is cost-effective improvements to the combat effectiveness of flight systems through strategic and tactical airspace advantage. Excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) goes hand in hand with many years of experience in combat aviation.

Avioniq is now entering into a collaboration with the Swedish defence and security company, Saab. This is based on the products Rattlesnake and AqLab and AqMissile; an intelligent product platform developed by Avioniq.

The collaboration between Avioniq and Saab formally begins on December 8, 2020. At a ceremony to launch the agreement, the two parties were represented by Joachim Hammersland, Vice President, Head of Business Unit Combat Systems and C4I Solutions, Saab, and Mats Helgesson, Director, and Mikael Grev, CEO of Avioniq.

"Reliable and efficient decision support systems is as crucial to modern air combat as flight performance, telecommunications capability and weapons", says Mats Helgesson, Director of Avioniq and former Air Force Chief.

Mikael Grev hails the collaboration with Saab as proof of the strength of the team's unique composition, and the intensive development efforts of recent years.
"Avioniq was founded by Gripen pilots, which affords us a clear advantage in our roles as engineers. We develop systems using our insight into how pilots and air combat commanders think tactically, operationally and strategically during air combat, and how we can best support that thought process."

You can also look elsewhere on their website to see comments like this, which personally undermine the credibility of this author for me.

Does this (Avioniq's software) qualify as a quantum leap?

“Absolutely. Think about the different generations of aircraft. Gripen, for instance, is a generation 4–4.5 aircraft, F 35 –F 22 with its stealth technology is generation 5. A Gripen equipped with our Rattlesnaq decision support would, in fact, qualify as a gen. 6. From that perspective, I believe we’re not just challenging the current status-quo. We are changing the rules of engagement.”

 

[Furniture]

The author addresses this somewhat in their article however for fully transparency's sake, Mikael Grev is a former Gripen pilot and co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. Avioniq is a software company founded and ran by former Gripen pilots, who have been closely involved with Saab for years at this point. He wasn't just a former Saab pilot, but his company works very closely with Saab and continually gives full throated endorsements on their website.

Below is from their website:



You can also look elsewhere on their website to see comments like this, which personally undermine the credibility of this author for me.

So similar to former RCAF officers who were "wined and dined" by LM while in uniform, and who then went to work for them afterwards?

 

[Rainbow1910]

So similar to former RCAF officers who were "wined and dined" by LM while in uniform, and who then went to work for them afterwards?

Indeed, if people want to be calling out one side in this discussion, scrutiny should be divvied up equally.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Indeed, if people want to be calling out one side in this discussion, scrutiny should be divvied up equally.

I doubt that either side would like light to be shone on them.

 

[ArmyRick]

So, I had some time and did some very deep diving (as far as I can as an internet surfer) on the JAS 39 E vs F35A

First, a couple of bravos for the Swedes. The Gripon is no slouch (I never thought it was) but learned some very impressive new information about it (my lack of understanding flights physics being my limitation). This jet comes from a long line of a nation living near a massive threat, with limited funding, a need to operate if necessary from austere hidden airfield locations such as highways in the mountains. The Swedes have a interesting history on domestic fighter production. One needs to understand this to comprehend the full context of what the JAS 39 E is and what it is meant to do.

The F35, is a technological based stealth fighter, we all know this. Its not so much the aircraft design itself as the capability to produce a golf ball sized radar signature and advanced fire controls and early target ID. It is a maintenance beast. On maintenance and "pit stops" the JAS 39 wins hands down.

Although I am very impressed with the JAS 39 ability to land in a Walmart parking lot, the truth is, if this was the major concern, the F35B can land in a postage stamp, but we are not looking at the B variant and the B variant requires an external gun pod. Not sure if thats a plus or not, the gun pod holds more rounds than the A model's gun.

If we get either the F35 or the JAS 39E, we win. Its like finding out your getting either a chocolate or a vanilla sunday. They are both great but the chocolate sunday is better. It matters more that we get a deal signed ASAP, like hop in a time machine, and go back in time, and get it done.

If we get both (If we are willing to spend the bread), we could really win. F35 for NORAD (match up with our American Allies and they are our allies even if Trump is not), and the JAS 39 E based in Europe, NATO ready (is Canadian Forces Europe coming back? I think it will in one form or another).

If we only pick one, I am not sure what is best. I would really need a stick jockey to weigh in. ANd I wonder if the type of air to air fight matters as well?

Looking at some Red Flags or whatever that USAF exercise is called, it seems it matters more to be a better pilot than to have the fighter with the best stats.

 

[FJAG]

The Swedes have a interesting history on domestic fighter production.

In my visit to Sweden this spring I had the opportunity to spend a day at the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linköping. It was an amazing tour, especially the older aircraft going back to the dawn of flight.

One very noteworthy display was a DC3 surveillance plane that was one of two Swedish aircraft shot down by the Russians in 1952. The entire aircraft had been recovered from the seabed and put into permanent display in the museum in subdued light just the way that it was found.

 

[ytz]

Looking at some Red Flags or whatever that USAF exercise is called, it seems it matters more to be a better pilot than to have the fighter with the best stats.

Patently wrong.

"Red Flag confirmed F-35 dominance with a 20:1 kill ratio" U.S. Air Force says

Looks like the F-35 achieved an impressive 20:1 kill ratio at Nellis Air Force Base's Red Flag 17-1 Every aviation enthusiast knows about Red Flag, the

theaviationist.com

I really wish people would learn to listen to the professionals.