UK testpilots in JAS 39 Gripen.

[Viggen]

UK test pilot training school agrees new deal with Gripen.

Trainee test pilots at ETPS (Empire Test Pilots´ School), Britain´s world-class flight test training school, which is operated by QinetiQ in partnership with the UK MOD, will gain greater access to flying Sweden´s fourth-generation fighter under a new agreement with Saab, brokered by Gripen International.

Now that sounds nice to me, very cool move by Gripen International. Maybe Gripen will outclass the Eurofighter on the market in the future thanks to good PR. (Wishful thinking).  

[Webmaster]

I guess the Gripen is a more economical way to introduce test pilots to fourth generation aircraft than the Typhoon.

[Viggen]

Thats probably also true, and my guess is that it wont stop with just Brittish testpilots.

There will be  "Brittish" testpilots from all kinds of countries, just as long as they are a members of NATO. 

[Webmaster]

Here's the official press release by QinetiQ

http://www.gripen.com/download/18.10948cf10331003a2d8000886/050505_ETPS_Gripen_deal.pdf

Looks like the primarily RAF and RAAF test pilot rookies will fly them from their base in Sweden. BAE was/is also involved in the Gripen, but still it suprises me that a partnership with a non-NATO country provides the fourth generation fastjet platform for the programme. But I guess with these private finance contracts anything is possible. Maybe future NATO pilots will be training on Russian jets, maritime patrol duties in the carribean will be carried out by a Canadian company flying converted Y-8s  and SAR in the UK will be performed by a company from Mexico flying W-3s produced in Poland. 

[Viggen]

Here is another example of your point... The  French and the Swedes develop an unmanned fighter. (Unmanned=crap)   

http://news.saabaerostructures.com/5.10deb5ffd9e2557fe7fff2981.html

But it looks like it wont be anything of this aircraft, since it costs to much to develop. But the French gave it green light, they have the money to spend.

[Air Marshal]

JAS 39 Gripen is more Manouver able in its class. Really proud on it.   

[Gripen]

i cant work the British out. they are spending all this money on the Eurofighter, Gripen and the JSF. What happens when they get all of them ready for service? what do they pick as their main fighter/attacker whatever? one of the planes will lose out and they will have wasted billions of dollars on it!

[Webmaster]

Nah, I think you misunderstood. The Gripen has only been selected for the test pilot school. BAE has or had (not sure the current status) a share in the Gripen, but that was only to earn some money because of its export potential. The JSF is a replacement for the Harrier, they want a STOVL aircraft. Typhoon will be the main fighter.