Il giornalista Robert Wall fa il punto, su "Aviation Week & Space Technology", sull'attuale situazione del mercato dei caccia ....

 

 

Fighter Contenders See Multiple Export Opportunities

 

By Robert Wall - July 09, 2012

 

Source ....

 

With India, Japan and Switzerland having made their fighter decisions, the market is starting to turn to smaller campaigns as aircraft makers look to build backlogs to sustain production lines that may otherwise be nearing their end.

 

Competitions in South Korea and Brazil still attract industry players, but after those, the list of buyers thins out to countries with more limited budgets seeking to buy smaller numbers. That means manufacturers are starting to pay attention even to small countries like Botswana, and its eventual F-5 replacement needs.

 

That is not to say the incentive to promote high-end offerings is diminishing. Being able to deliver the most advanced systems possible remains an issue of more than bragging rights. That has Eurofighter officials eager to show that they are finally making progress in the increasingly important realm of active, electronically scanned array technology, where the European consortium has been trailing rivals.

 

The first Captor-E is due to be delivered in the second quarter of 2012, says Bob Mason, vice president for radar marketing and sales at Selex Galileo, one of the partners in the Euroradar consortium. The first Typhoon with the radar will fly next year. Most of the work so far has been financed by industry. A government-funded development contract is now expected in 2013. Industry still hopes to be able to field the system in 2015, although delays in the government's financing of the development program means the in-service date could slip into 2016.

 

The repositioner, designed to maintain IFF (identification friend or foe) polarity and increase the pilot's field of regard using the sensor, and upgraded back end with increased processing are now coming together, Mason says. The development is “low- risk,” he asserts. The basic radar will have air-to-air, air-to-ground and synthetic aperture radar modes.

 

The radar is intended for Tranche 3A fighters, but could be retrofit on Tranche 2 aircraft as well.

 

Pressure is mounting on Typhoon for sales in export markets, having already failed in Japan, India and Switzerland. South Korea, where the Typhoon is squaring off against the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle, is seen as a long shot, given the strong U.S. military presence on the peninsula. Malaysia is seen as a potential buyer, and the consortium also still hopes to make inroads in the United Arab Emirates, which has been in on-again, off-again talks with France to buy the Rafale.

 

For the Saab Gripen, last year's win in Switzerland and the subsequent commitment by Sweden to buy 60-80 of the new model E/F-standard aircraft has provided a shot in the arm, but export successes globally have been few.

 

Brazil could provide an important test case, opening the door not just to a new market but potentially to an entire region. Brazil's decision has been delayed numerous times, but Eddy de la Motte, vice president for marketing of the Swedish fighter, notes that “we get the feeling it is the end game.”

 

Saab could deliver the first Gripen E/F (also called the NG) fighter four years after a contract award, but it is still unclear if that is the schedule Brasilia will insist on, or whether it will join the combined Swiss/Swedish Gripen E/F development schedule, which would see the first fighter handed over in 2018.

 

The first Gripen E/F prototype is due to fly late next year if the Swiss and Swedish governments can agree on the development path forward. The effort would likely require some funding from Saab, too.

 

Meanwhile, the Selex Galileo Raven ES-05 active, electronically scanned array radar is to fly on the Gripen NG demonstrator soon, at which time the cockpit displays and sensor will be put through their paces.

 

The Swedish government has an offer on the table for potential export buyers, to accelerate its purchase if another country wants the Gripen E/F early but does not want to be the lead buyer. That offer remains open, de La Motte says.

 

A win in Brazil could open the door to other fighter deals in South America, adds Frederik Gustafson, regional director for Gripen exports in the Americas. “There is a huge need for new fighters in the region and the economies are growing,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Aerospace Forum Sweden 2012. There are more than a handful of countries that are looking to buy in the next five years, he added.

 

But that is not the only region where Saab is working to meet its target of selling 300 fighters over the next decade. In Thailand, were it has already sold 12 Gripens (six are delivered with six to follow next year), it is hoping for additional deals. Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and, “in a couple of years” Vietnam may also offer opportunities, de La Motte says.

 

Efforts also continue to extend the fighter lease deal with the Czech Republic and secure orders in Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Slovakia. Gripen also still hopes to convince Denmark and the Netherlands to defect from the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter program.

 

This year, the Czech Republic is due to make a decision on whether it will extend the fighter lease beyond 2015. The Czech air force currently operates 12 single-seat and two dual-seat Gripens under a lease deal that expires in 2015. The goal is to complete negotiations this year on how to preserve fighter capability.

 

The leading candidate, preferred by the air force, is an extension of the lease deal with the Swedish government, with 5-, 10- and 20-year options being discussed (the 10-year option is seen as the most likely). A decision should be taken this year to allow time for a fall-back plan in case the lease deal does not materialize, says air force chief Brig. Gen. Jiri Verner.

 

Securing additional orders is critical not only for European manufacturers, seeing a potential end of their production lines in this decade in the absence of additional orders. Boeing is looking to both additional F/A-18 purchases by the U.S. and fighter export campaigns to sustain its two fighter production lines—the F-15 and F/A-18—beyond their currently expected lives.

 

The current multi-year program with the U.S. Navy runs until about 2015, but Dennis Muilenburg, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (DSS), sees scope for sales of additional EA-18Gs to the Pentagon to extend production. “We see an opportunity domestically for the joint electronic attack requirement,” he tells reporters. But whether there is enough demand for a fourth multi-year contract is unclear he notes.

 

While Muilenburg acknowledges that the existing backlog sees pressure on the F-15 and F/A-18E/F production lines in the 5-10-year time frame, he argues that both products have shown resilience and been able to extend their lives.

 

Several important decisions affecting exports loom in the coming months. Before year-end, Brazil is to announce its F-X2 fighter decision where the F/A-18E/F is competing against the Gripen NG and the Dassault Rafale. South Korea is also expected to make its choice between the F-15, Lockheed Martin's F-35 and the Typhoon.

 

Boeing also foresees more clarity to emerge on Australia's plans in the third quarter. That is when a decision is likely on the mix between the F-35s and F/A-18Fs and whether additional Super Hornet purchases will be made, says Mark Kronenberg, vice president- international business development at Boeing DSS. “I don't think they are going to walk away completely from the F-35, but the mix is a factor,” he argues.

 

Boeing sees Denmark as an opportunity for the F/A-18, as well as some nervousness among F-35 buyers that could generate opportunities, Kronenberg says.

 

The Middle East is viewed as another potential hot spot for deals, with Qatar and Kuwait seen as potential F/A-18E/F buyers. Kronenberg notes that “in Kuwait you are starting to see movement I had not seen two years ago.”

 

The United Arab Emirates might be an opportunity for Boeing, but Kronenberg sees that as an F-15 market.

 

Extending the production lines is vital for Boeing to maintain skills until future programs—FA-XX for the U.S. Navy and F-X for the U.S. Air Force—advance beyond the concept study phase. However, Muilenburg notes that skills will also be sustained through other efforts, including work in unmanned aircraft and the USAF's next-generation bomber effort.

 

Sarebbe interessante sapere se i francesi assieme al raphale venderanno anche il meteor agli indiani..Non credo...

Cribbio si scrive Rafale. In pochi giorni sei riuscito a sbagliarne il nome almeno 10 volte nella discussione sul PAK FA, senza imbroccarlo nemmeno una volta.

Cribbio si scrive Rafale. In pochi giorni sei riuscito a sbagliarne il nome almeno 10 volte nella discussione sul PAK FA, senza imbroccarlo nemmeno una volta.

Cribbio rimani in tema per favore.

Oh, ma siamo perfettamente in tema: parliamo di un aereo di cui non sei capace di scrivere il nome e che credi (sbagliando) ci si farebbe problemi a vendere all'India con il Meteor.

 

http://aviationweek.com/defense/mbda-eyes-meteor-deal-indian-rafales

 

Meteor che non è in servizio manco sul Gripen come hai scritto altrove (sbagliando di nuovo)...

Lo sarà dall'anno prossimo.

 

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-06-19/meteor-target-service-next-year

Si muove sempre qualcosa per gli inossidabili F-18 ed F-15, ma c'è il concreto rischio di un buco produttivo se gli ordini tardassero.

 

http://aviationweek.com/defense/boeing-s-f-15-fa-18-deals-qatar-and-kuwait-now-imminent

 

Certe razionalizzazioni e standardizzazioni della linea sfuggono alle logiche di paesi che cercano ostinatamente di differenziarla.

L'India è maestra in questi incubi logistici, ma anche acquistare un pugno di F-18E subito dopo poche decine di EF-2000 da parte del Kuwait può lasciare un po'interdetti.

Il Quatar poi, dopo aver fatto spesso e volentieri la spesa in Francia (anche recentemente con il Rafale), farebbe il suo bel mix con l'F-15.

Un colpo al cerchio e uno alla botte, ma sicuramente l'affidabilità, la diffusione e la certezza di poter disporre di una capillare assistenza premia i prodotti Boeing nonostante l'età anagrafica, magari proprio in paesi con una limitata autonomia tecnologica che vedono bene l'acquisto di pacchetti completi di tutti gli optional in termini di addestramento ed assistenza, rodati dopo anni ed anni di esperienze operative.

Nel caso dell'F-15 in particolare, avere i vantaggi di un grosso velivolo a un prezzo ormai limatato da una ultra-quarantennale produzione, sono punti a favore che hanno ancora un certo peso.

Si muove sempre qualcosa per gli inossidabili F-18 ed F-15...

 

Eh si...si muove...

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/fighter-jet-sales-to-qatar-kuwait-and-bahrain-move-429905/

Belgio ..... è partita la ricerca per il nuovo caccia che dovrà sostituire gli ormai invecchiati F-16 ...

In gara ... i soliti noti ...

The government has made an important decision to replace the F-16s.

On the recommendation of the Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput, it was agreed to launch an acquisition program.

The 54 F-16s now in service will be replaced by 34 new multi-role combat aircraft.

This number guarantees the level of ambition mentioned in the Strategic Vision for Defence, namely: on a permanent basis, six combat aircraft are available for operations and two more to protect our air space (Quick Reaction Alert).

Fewer aircraft are needed than before because the new generation of aircraft can fly more and there can be more training on simulators.

Fonte: Defense News ... Belgium Launches F-16 Replacement RFP ...

Gli Stati Uniti hanno consegnato altri quattro F-16 di seconda mano all'Indonesia ...

... https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jakarta-receives-more-former-usaf-f-16-block-25-fig-435586/ ...

... http://www.hill.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1122103/hill-afb-regenerates-f-16s-for-indonesian-air-force ...

Un'inedita alleanza ...

 

... Japan partners with UK to study future fighter ...

Il Belgio ... e la ricerca per il nuovo caccia che dovrà sostituire gli F-16 ...

Boeing ... saluta e se ne va ...

Boeing will not compete its F/A-18 Super Hornet to replace Belgium’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s, the company informed the nation's government this week.

In a statement, the airframer says it will not participate in a 19 April bidders' conference, nor respond to Brussels' request for proposals for the new fighter.

Fonte: FlightGlobal ... Boeing pulls out of Belgian fighter competition ...

Quindi f35..

Quindi f35 ..

 

Non è ancor detto ...

Infatti ... nell'articolo di FlightGlobal si può leggere anche questo ...

 

Boeing’s American rival, Lockheed Martin, remains in the competition with its F-35.

Other candidates include the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen E.

 

C'è però da prendere in considerazione che il Belgio, per motivi di standardizzazione con la vicina Olanda, potrebbe essere spinto ad adottare il Lightning II ...

La Finlandia stanzia fondi provvisori in vista della successione ai suoi Hornets ...

Finland is continuing to analyse responses to a request for information it issued last year as part of the HX programme to replace its air force’s fleet of Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets.

It anticipates beginning the formal selection process in early 2018, when it will send a request for quotation (RFQ) to five manufacturers.

These are Boeing, BAE Systems (representing Eurofighter), Dassault, Lockheed Martin and Saab, for their respective F/A-18E/F, Typhoon, Rafale, F-35 and Gripen E.

Lauri Puranen, HX project manager at the Finnish defence ministry, says it will not be overly prescriptive in its specifications, allowing bidders to propose a range of solutions – both manned and unmanned – to meet a number of key scenarios.

Fonte: FlightGlobal ... Finland analyses responses in Hornet replacement effort ...

Sarà la volta buona?

Sono anni che, con alterne vicende, ne stanno discutendo ... spesso litigando ...

 

... http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-russia-to-sign-deal-on-fifth-generation-fighter-jet-design-1690580 ...

 

... http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/india-russia-5th-generation-fighter-jet-deal-to-be-signed-soon/ ...

 

... http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-russia-to-ink-deal-on-5th-generation-fighter-aircraft-design/articleshow/58561125.cms ...

La Polonia sta pensando al caccia di 5^ generazione ...

The ... announcement comes as the Defence Ministry is developing its procurement plan for the years 2017 to 2026.

Ministry officials have said that Warsaw might purchase two squadrons of F-35 Lightning II jets, consisting of a total of 32 aircraft.

The planned procurement of fifth-generation fighters was also included in the ministry’s "Concept of Defence of the Republic of Poland," a strategic document released May 23.

Fonte: DefenseNews ... Poland to buy 5th-gen fighter jets around 2025 ...

I Canadesi, maestri nell'arte del ripensamento, si trovano ora prigionieri di loro stessi ...

 

Prima dicono di voler acquistare ad interim, al posto degli F-35, un certo numero di Super Hornet ... poi, su un'altra questione, litigano di brutta con Boeing ...

Alla fine ... tutto rimane sospeso a mezz'aria ...

Canada’s Liberal government has unveiled its new defence policy, proposing 88 new fighters for the Royal Canadian Air Force, but pushing back plans to acquire an interim fleet of 18 Boeng F/A-18E/F Super Hornets amid a rift between Boeing Commercial Aircraft and Bombardier.

At the top of Canada’s military aircraft priorities, defence minister Harjit Sajjan outlined the air force’s plan to acquire 88 new fighters – an increase from the previous government’s plan to purchase 65 jets – ...

But the defence policy dodges a previous plan to acquire 18 Super Hornets as an interim solution for solving the service’s capability gap.

Fonte: FlightGlobal ... Canadian plans put interim Super Hornet deal on hold ...

Alla prossima puntata ...

 

In Europa , idee un po' confuse.....

 

http://www.flyorbitnews.com/2017/06/12/airbus-francia-futuro-caccia-europeo/

 

Un caccia per la Francia senza Dassault ? .... .

Tanto si azzannano. Machiavellicamente parlando, la storia è ciclica. Troppi attori per una visione probabilmente distante sul futuro caccia. Ma le parole di Alonso sono appropriate. Non c'è spazio in Europa per tanti caccia. Bisogna superare le divergenze.

Gli Stati Uniti vendono al Qatar, paese che alcuni governi arabi hanno inserito nella lista dei fiancheggiatori del terrorismo, 36 F-15QA ...

 

The U.S. and Qatar today finalized the sale of F-15QA fighter aircraft, worth $12 billion.

A spokesman for the Department of Defense confirmed the letter had been signed during a meeting between Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and his counterpart, Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid al-Attiyah.

When the long-awaited deal was cleared by the State Department in November, it was announced as a $21.1 billion agreement covering up to 72 jets, a good reminder that initial figures reported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency are often high estimates for where an agreement will end up.

Instead, it appears the agreement will be for about half that.

Fonte: DefenseNews ... Qatar, US sign agreement on F-15 deal ...

 

Gli Stati Uniti vendono al Qatar, paese che ..... alcuni governi arabi ..... hanno inserito nella lista dei fiancheggiatori del terrorismo, 36 F-15QA ...

 

"....alcuni governi arabi.... " , appunto ( quali ? ) . Non il governo americano .

"....alcuni governi arabi.... " , appunto ( quali ? ).

Non il governo americano .

 

Per tua informazione ... dalla fonte di notizie qatariota per eccellenza ... http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saudi-arabia-uae-egypt-bahrain-cut-ties-qatar-170605031700062.html...

L'attuale governo USA non ha fatto altro che portare (in parte) a termine un'operazione avviata dalla precedente amministrazione ... http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-qatar-f-15qa-aircraft-weapons-and-related-support ...

Competizioni europee ...

Boeing ... alla luce di precedenti (deludenti) esperienze ... ha deciso di muoversi con cautela ...

Secondo FlightGlobal ... PARIS: Boeing takes cautious look on European fighter competitions ...

Due reportages dalla stampa francese , da sempre velenosetta con lo F-35 , ma che ora comincia a preoccuparsi :

 

http://www.la-croix.com/Economie/Monde/Le-F35-chasseur-americain-defait-lEurope-defense-2017-06-21-1200856833

 

Notare che per questi , il Typhoon lo fa Airbus

 

Qui la seconda:

 

https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/030366010578-avions-de-chasse-la-competition-sintensifie-entre-le-rafale-et-le-f-35-2095489.php

 

Di quest'ultimo , leggere anche il riquadro in fondo : F-16 per l'India ?

Modificato 22 giugno 20179 anni da engine

Venghino Signori, venghino ... a comprare da noi ...

 

The 29 nations that are members of the NATO alliance pledge to spend two percent of their national gross domestic product on defense.

Few do, but all indicate that this is a goal, and US President Donald Trump has recently made it clear that he expects more of a contribution from allies benefitting from the US security umbrella.

There are many ways America’s allies can increase their defense spending, but if nations honestly weigh their options, they will find US-built equipment generally offers them the most total value, said Remy Nathan, vice president for international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association.

When it comes to providing “the best technology at the best price,” US products win “across the board,” Nathan said in an interview with Air Force Magazine at the Paris Air Show.

Fonte: AFA ... When “Buy American” Makes Sense Abroad ...

 

Consegnati all'Oman i primi due Tifoni biposto ...

 

... https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-oman-takes-delivery-of-its-first-typhoons-438855/ ...