Flight and ground tests with the three candidates for the Partial Tiger Replacement (TTE) during the second half of 2008
Bern, 17.06.2008 - During the second half of 2008 flight and ground tests for the succession of the F-5E/F Tiger – the so-called Partial Tiger Replacement (TTE) will take place at the Emmen airbase. For about four weeks each of the three candidates – Gripen, Rafale and Eurofighter – will be tested in a severe selection process. armasuisse is in charge of the evaluation and will perform it together with the Swiss Air Force.
The flight and ground tests will begin on 28 July with the first candidate, the Swedish Grippen. This aircraft will be followed by the French Rafale, and the last flight and ground tests with the Eurofighter will take place at the beginning of December.
In addition to other criteria, such as the procurement costs per aircraft, maintenance, adaptation of the existing infrastructure or generation of noise, these flight and ground tests form a central cornerstone within the entire evaluation process. Among other things, the planned tests aim at examining the entire range of capabilities of each candidate, and at checking the operational in-flight effectivenes as well as the operational suitability on the ground.
Flight and ground tests
During the tests around 30 flights per candidate are carried out. For this purpose each manufacturer provides 2 two-seaters in the configuration requested by armasuisse. The aircraft are flown by test pilots of armasuisse and the Swiss Air Force in the presence of a test pilot from the manufacturer. As a rule the flights are performed from the Emmen airbase. The airbases of Meiringen, Sion and Payerne are also used. The test scenarios are identical for all three candidates.
The Swiss Air Force supports the evaluation with about 50 F-5E/F and
F/A-18C/D missions each for target simulation and formation flying. Night and supersonic flights will also be carried out. The flights undertaken during the evaluation are part of the existing flight quotas and do not lead to more flights on the air bases in question. armasuisse, the Competence Center for Procurement, Technology, Real Estate and Geodata within the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) is in charge of the evaluation.
Time frames for the flight tests in Switzerland
The time frames for the three candidates are:
Saab Gripen: 28.07. until 22.08.2008 Media event: 12.08.2008
Dassault Rafale: 13.10. until 07.11.2008 Media event: 28.10.2008
EADS Eurofighter: 10.11. until 05.12.2008 Media event: 25.11.2008
What will be the next steps?
After completion of the flight and ground tests the collected data will be evaluated and the manufacturers will be invited to submit a second offer. After submission of the second offer and the subsequent evaluation report in May 2009 the selection of type is planned for July 2009.
Note for the media:
For each candidate a media event at Emmen airbase is planned. Participation in this media event requires an accreditation, since the event will take place in a secured zone within the airbase.
Under the internet address www.armasuisse.ch / News / Events (media) a contact form will soon be published. Persons registering with this form will be notified in due time.
Information for people not representing the media (spotters):
During the flight and ground tests a short event at the Emmen airbase, but outside the secured zone, is planned. Access to the aircraft is not possible.
Under the internet address www.armasuisse.ch / News / Events (spotters) a contact form will soon be published. Persons registering with this form will be notified in due time.
Address for enquiries
Kaj-Gunnar Sievert
Head Communication armasuisse
031 324 62 47
Publisher
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
http://www.vbs.admin.ch
