Sweden SAAB Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

[flateric]

https://twitter.com/GripenNews/status/1014787393612926977

 

[raptor82]

SAAB FCAS supersonic Loyal Wingman UAV study：

https://www.icas.org/ICAS_ARCHIVE/ICAS2022/data/papers/ICAS2022_0570_paper.pdf

 

[VTOLicious]

TWZ opinion on SAABs loyal wingman study...

"...Extrapolating that, and as we have discussed repeatedly before, one could argue that 4th generation fighters like Gripen could benefit from advanced loyal wingmen drones even more than 5th or 6th generation types. Pairing the two together would breathe entirely new life into the 4th generation fighter and would give them a stealthy, penetrating capability via their loyal wingmen drones, as well as greatly expanded tactical flexibility, increased awareness, and drastically enhanced survivability. One may also be able to argue that with high-end, largely autonomous uncrewed wingmen, more advanced crewed fighters may not be needed for the vast majority of missions.
In other words, SAAB could pair its Gripen E/F with something like the drone seen in the test to give Gripen vastly enhanced capabilities at a lower cost as compared to buying highly advanced, stealthy, manned fighters and training pilots constantly to fly them..."

https://www.twz.com/air/this-is-saabs-concept-for-a-supersonic-stealthy-loyal-wingman-drone

 

[raptor82]

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighter systems. The contract period is 2024-2025.

Saab receives order for Swedish future fighter concept studies

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighter systems. The contract period is 2024-2025.

www.saab.com

 

[snne]

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighter systems. The contract period is 2024-2025.

Saab receives order for Swedish future fighter concept studies

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding conceptual studies for future fighter systems. The contract period is 2024-2025.

www.saab.com

too little too late

 

[raptor82]

Swedish FCAS timelines：

https://twitter.com/x/status/1793216831584444513

View: https://x.com/garethjennings3/status/1793216831584444513?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg

 

[Maro.Kyo]

I wonder if Swedish requirements could coincide with ROKAF requirements for the 2030s, and if they could actually do something together. Both have expertise designing and producing 4.5th gen fighters, have domestic industrial bases, have cooperated in defence before, have negotiated for joint development of KF-X in the past (and Sweden assisted subsystem development), both are very much developed economies but lacks critical mass/gross economic size to finance next gen fighter development alone but still wants 5+ gen fighter for the near future. Also, both are directly facing its adversary at it's vicinity (for Sweden it's Russian forces in the Baltic/Kaliningrad/St. Petersburg and defence of Finland as NATO ally, whereas for ROK it's DPRK directly above it and Chinese forces just across the Yellow Sea. Very similar operational environments, especially the distance, if you ask me). Korea's also developing the engine for the next gen fighter so that could be very attractive prospect for Sweden as well.

I think Sweden delaying future fighter related decisions to 2030s could actually turn out to something beneficial for both countries. Be it a joint programme based on KF-X block III or a clean sheet KF-XX/whatever they would call it in Sweden, or just a joint development of individual subsystems and adjuncts, I think both countries could work it out. Most importantly, I think it's important to note that all countries capable of developing their own fighter jet are already up to something be it GCAP, NGF, KAAN or AMCA.

Though I wonder if Sweden would try to stick to a light-weight single engined design for 5+ gen fighters like the FS2020. This might be the biggest disagreement if there is to be any serious talks.

 

[apparition13]

This was the previous effort:

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/saab-fs2020-stealth-fighter-concept.9798/

It would have used a single engine in the 40k lbs thrust category.

 

[Scott Kenny]

I wonder if Swedish requirements could coincide with ROKAF requirements for the 2030s, and if they could actually do something together.

That would certainly be my recommendation to the two of them.

Though IIRC the follow on to the KF21 is supposed to be more like F-15 sized and capabilities.

But IIRC Korea is working on an F414-sized 5th gen engine, equivalent to F119 or F135 in supercruise etc.

Though I wonder if Sweden would try to stick to a light-weight single engined design for 5+ gen fighters like the FS2020. This might be the biggest disagreement if there is to be any serious talks.

That's probably going to be a big issue.

What they should publicly aim for is operating costs of about half that of an F-35, however large an aircraft that ends up being. (bigger than a Gripen by at least 25% in gross weight terms, IMO)

 

[raptor82]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1793542061200953539

View: https://x.com/garethjennings3/status/1793542061200953539?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg

 

[Hood]

What's the betting they call this Draken II?

 

[VTOLicious]

A modern day Draken with LEVCONs and an F414 engine would be an awesome machine!

 

[FighterJock]

I agree with you about Draken II Hood, since the UK have Typhoon and Tempest it would be a good name for the SAAB FCAS.

 

[Springtime]

Why not the F-15EX is officially the Eagle II plus it looks like a sequel to the Draken anyway