Flight and ground tests with the Gripen are under way
Bern, 04.08.2008 - As planned, tests with the first candidate for the Partial Tiger Replacement (TTE) started in Emmen on Monday, 28 July 2008. On the very next day the first flight with a Swiss pilot in the Gripen two-seater could take place. The flight test program also foresees night flights. The flights in total darkness will take place this and next week.
The flight and ground tests with the first candidate for the Partial Tiger Replacement started on 28 July 2008. With the first six of around 30 flights performed during the first week, the tests are on schedule.
Schedule for the night flights
In order to test and examine all systems, flights in total darkness are necessary. Due to the season these flights with take place at a late hour for Swiss conditions. After take-off the aircraft fly to their training areas in the Alps and carry out their program at altitudes between approx. 3’000 and 8’000 meters above sea level. At this time they will be practically inaudible. The flights serve to assess the systems' operational effectiveness and technical performance.
During take-off and landing in Emmen an increased noise level has to be expected.
The night flights from Emmen of the Swedish Saab Gripen and the F/A-18 used as target aircraft will take place as follows:
Date: 5 August, Take-Off: approx. 21.40 h, Landing: approx. 23.10 h, Aircraft in operation: 1 Gripen and 1 F/A-18
Date: 12 August, Take-Off: approx. 21.30 h, Landing: approx. 23.00 h, Aircraft in operation: 1 Gripen and 2 F/A-18
Possible alternative dates would be 7 August and 14 August. Night flights will take place only on one day per week.
Further night flights in October and November
Later on the same test flights will be carried out with the other two candidates, Rafale and Eurofighter. Because depending on the season dusk begins at different times, the night flights of the Rafale (test phase in October) and the Eurofighter (test phase in November) will take place at an earlier hour. The flight times of these candidates will be communicated at a later date.
The test flights are part of the existing flight quotas and do not lead to more flights on the air-bases in question.
Next steps
The French Dassault Rafale is expected to arrive on 9 October 2008 and the European EADS Eurofighter on 6 November 2008. For all three aircraft types the scenario for flight and ground tests is identical.
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 this offer and the subsequent preparation of the evaluation report in May 2009 the selection of type is planned for July 2009.
Note for the media:
For media representatives an offical event is planned for 12 August 2008. Participation in this media event requires an accreditation, since the event will take place in a secured zone within the airbase.
Under the following link the media can register by means of a contact form: http://www.ar.admin.ch/internet/armasuisse/de/home/aktuell/agenda/akkred_media.html
Persons registering with this form will informed in due time.
Note for people not representing the media (spotters):
Due to the many inquiries for the event within the flight and ground tests on 11 August 2008 at Emmen airbase registrations are no longer possible.
For the Gripen no additional events within the flight and ground tests will take place. The registration form for the two other candidates, Rafale and Eurofighter, will be published in due course under the following link:
http://www.ar.admin.ch/internet/armasuisse/de/home/aktuell/agenda.html
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
