road strip close to their home base during the
Swedish Armed Forces’ Exercise Aurora 17.
...to Gripen E
The Flygvapnet announced plans in
January 2013 to order 60 new-build Gripen
Es to replace the remaining JAS 39Cs –
and, once again, the FMV began defining
the requirements for the new fighter.
Based on four principles (reliability,
maintainability, capability and affordability), the
FMV relied on early and frequent feedback
from the Flygvapnet and, above all, the TU JAS
- beginning with initial project definition and
later the design and manufacturing phase.
Today the TU JAS is heavily involved
in design and production of the ‘first-
generation’ Gripen E software standard,
optimised for air-to-air warfare (MS21) with
an additional air-to-ground upgrade (MS22).
IOC is planned for 2023 with F 7 at
Såtenäs, after which all existing E-models
will be retrofitted, or manufactured, with the
multirole MS23 software standard, which is
still under study and not yet contracted.
Since the Gripen E represents an all-aspect
‘quantum leap’ in technical and tactical
capabilities compared with the JAS 39C/D, the TU
JAS is required to continuously monitor and report
all E-model-related programme developments
as representatives of the Flygvapnet.
A major focus is balancing the
financial burden of the programme by
concentrating on key features vital for the
air force and avoiding cost overruns.
Although the Gripen E is still in the design
and manufacturing phase, TU JAS pilots and
system specialists are already assessing the
impact of the E-model on current and future
weapons systems, logistics, operational and
tactical procedures and training. At the same
time the unit is involved in project definition
for the future MS23 software upgrade.
Recent political developments in the Baltic
mean that most Swedish political parties are
now more willing to increase military spending
and, to complement the 60 Gripen Es, political
consensus is building to retain the 100-strong
JAS 39C/D force longer than originally planned.Safeguarding pilot excellence
The TU JAS is also responsible for
tactical training and standardisation
of the air force’s Gripen pilots.
Under the command of Lt Col Pierre
‘Dancer’ Ziherl, an experienced Gripen
and AJS 37 Viggen pilot, seven pilots
and five mission specialists continuously
update the Gripen tactics, techniques
and procedures (TTP) manual.
Pilots accepted for the TU JAS require
considerable experience, including participation
in large-scale international exercises and a
minimum of four-ship lead qualification on
the Gripen. Once successfully screened,
they will be taught the unit’s ‘secrets’ during
a one-year instruction programme.
Each year, five of the Flygvapnet’s
six operational JAS 39C squadrons
deploy to F 21’s home base at Luleå innorthern Sweden for a large-scale TTP
exercise, organised by the TU JAS.
During the two weeks of intensive flying,
national defence scenarios are tested,
executed, evaluated and adapted if necessary.
The remaining (sixth) frontline squadron is
responsible for ‘crewing’ the Flygvapnet’s quick
reaction alert (QRA) force during the exercise.
Live-fire and bombing missions are flown
at the nearby Vidsel range, often supported
by F 7’s tanker-configured TP 84 Hercules,
and the exercise is supported by an array
of support aircraft and airborne, ground-
based and maritime surveillance systems,
enabling the TU JAS to put air warfare tactics
to the test in a contemporary scenario.
When required, the TU JAS organises a
dedicated Gripen Weapon Instructor Course,
teaching experienced operational pilots
about various tactics and weapons systems
in detail. In turn, this means IPs can teach
newly minted Gripen pilots once they join
their individual squadrons after graduation.
Within the international Gripen community
(comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary,
South Africa, Sweden and Thailand), the
commander of the TU JAS also serves as
military head of the Gripen User Group.
This multinational association includes all
operating air forces and individual squadrons
and handles exclusively Gripen-related
issues. It also organises the multinational Lion
Effort training exercise every three years.
If required by the Flygvapnet, the TU JAS
pilots can also assist other Gripen air forces and
squadrons in obtaining specific qualifications.
For example, prior to the Hungarian Air Force’s
participation in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing
operation in Lithuania in 2015, pilots from
the unit deployed to Kecskemét air base in
Hungary with an FMV JAS 39D trainer to ensure
the local aircrew gained proficiency in air-to-
air refuelling using a US Air Force KC-135.
As a close observer of Sweden’s changing
defence posture, the TU JAS is set to remain a
very influential organisation, despite its small size.
Moreover, its key role in the ongoing
Gripen E programme means it’s
shaping the future of the Flygvapnet’s
cutting edge for years to come.AFMhttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #361 APRIL 2018 // 53