加拿大防务评论专题
Saab 加拿大 and its “Gripen for 加拿大 Team” is the only manufacturer committing to transfer the building of its fighter solution for 加拿大’s FFCP (Future Fighter Capability Project) - the multi-role Gripen E - to 加拿大.
This distinctly sets Saab’s solution apart from every other bidder on the program, and represents a critical element of the company’s proposal as Saab will share technology and knowledge with 加拿大. This would in turn enable 加拿大’s aerospace industry to innovate and allow it the capability and flexibility to upgrade and sustain Gripen E domestically over its entire service lifetime.
The domestic support capability is something that must be considered carefully in relation to supply chains and maintainability, especially in light of the recent difficulties that 加拿大 encountered when requesting PPE supplies from the US around the COVID-19 pandemic. If something as simple and benign as medical masks could be an issue, then one can only surmise what issues could potentially be encount
互操作性不是问题
ered around the acquisition of sophisticated aerospace technology when it comes to the crunch.
很多在加拿大, 实际上是北美, are unaware that Gripen fighter jets have al读y integrated seamlessly with NATO and allied forces. 例如, Gripens of the Swedish 空气 Force integrated seamlessly into coalition operations during the United Nations air campaign over Libya.
Hungarian and 捷克共和国 Gripens routinely conduct NATO air policing missions over the Baltic States and NATO air surveillance missions over Iceland. 加拿大 participates in all of these missions, which is testament to the fact that Gripen is, 不可否认的是, 北约可互操作的. In fact, CDR witnessed this first hand when we visited Šiauliai 空气 Base in 立陶宛. It was during that visit that I personally saw Hungarian Gripen fighters conduct quick reaction alert missions as part of a NATO 空气 Policing Mission.
This was further codified in late May when Swedish Gripen fighters integrated with USAF (美国 空气 Force) B -1B Lancer strategic bombers of the Global Strike Command. 在这个例子中, two B-1B bombers from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth 空气 Force Base in South Dakota conducted a long-range strategic Bomber Task Force mission to the Nordic region.
The mission allowed the USAF to integrate with Swedish Gripens while conducting close-air support training with Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) ground teams. 杰夫·哈里根将军，美国.S. 空气 Forces in Europe and 空气 Forces Africa Commander, commented on the interoperability as follows: “Long-range bomber training missions strengthen our steadfast partnerships with allies across both Europe and Africa. . . . This mission further enhances our interoperability capabilities by taking groundbreaking steps to incorporate our partners to generate seamless operations.”
但, Gripen’s suitability in responding to existing and future threats is also a consideration that the Swedish 空气 Force takes very seriously. Russian fighter aircraft are merely minutes away from Swedish and allied territory, which means Gripens have to react at a moment’s notice to intercept threats, a requirement which necessitates high availability rates for quick reaction alert.
This is in contrast to the veritable glacial pace of advance notice that 加拿大 usually enjoys when conducting its intercepts. If that’s not enough proof of Gripen interoperability, Sweden also hosts the biennial Arctic Challenge Exercise which has Gripen fighters regularly operating with NATO and allied aircraft.
和, the same capability that Saab has demonstrated with NATO assets can also be found in a NORAD context. Saab’s Sea Giraffe air and surface search radar as well as Saab fire control and combat management system modules are integrated into the heart of the combat system of Royal Canadian Navy Halifax Class frigates. 顺便说一下, these frigates do operate as part of the Canadian contribution to the NORAD Maritime Warning Mission, which is one of the three core NORAD Missions.
或者访问CDR并在线阅读 在这里.