PC/WI: Twin engined SAAB Gripen.

WILDGEESE

Gone Fishin'
What increase in capability would the original SAAB Gripen experience if it was designed from the outset to use twin engines instead of a single one?

Would the overall performance put it closer to the Rafale and Typhoon?

Regards.
 
I mean, that’s basically a delta-canard Super Hornet, so... probably? No, wait, canard-delta Legacy Hornet, my bad. So, probably close but not quite.
 
Problem is the cost goes up by quite a lot (cost roughly scales with weight) - apply that to the programme cost and Sweden has to stump up an additional $7 billion or so. Can they afford it, or does the Gripen get cancelled and replaced with licensed production of something else?
 
Well it would put it in a much more niche market with a plane that would not suit the swedish air force nearly as well.
 
Well, the easiest way to go twin engine, would be to use a smaller engine.

Suppose the F404 isn't available for licence, or the political or economic costs are too high. A slight upgrade to the Rolls/Turbomeca Adour would allow about the same performance in a twin engine layout as the F404 does in a single. Afaik, anyway.
 

SsgtC

Banned
Well, the easiest way to go twin engine, would be to use a smaller engine.

Suppose the F404 isn't available for licence, or the political or economic costs are too high. A slight upgrade to the Rolls/Turbomeca Adour would allow about the same performance in a twin engine layout as the F404 does in a single. Afaik, anyway.
Which would kill any appeal it had on the international market. The US tried the same thing with the F-5 for the 5 minutes that they weren't willing to export the F-16. There weren't many takers. And none once the Falcon was available.
 
Which would kill any appeal it had on the international market. The US tried the same thing with the F-5 for the 5 minutes that they weren't willing to export the F-16. There weren't many takers. And none once the Falcon was available.
Err.. what? Over 2000 F5s were sold abroad, and 1200 more T38 trainers for the US. That's pretty successful.
 
Problem is the cost goes up by quite a lot (cost roughly scales with weight) - apply that to the programme cost and Sweden has to stump up an additional $7 billion or so. Can they afford it, or does the Gripen get cancelled and replaced with licensed production of something else?
It may not get that far, the Gripen passed the Riksdag 176 to 167, a more costly program could sway 5 votes and bye bye Gripen
 
Unless one can ascertain the effect of any proposed changes to the requirement such ad STOL and weight limits, any discussions would be mere speculations.
 

Ramontxo

Donor
I agree on the increased weigth/cost. And how It dosent make much sense, as any one ready to pay more for increased capabilitys would go for a Rafale or a Typhoon. But if made I suggest a pair of lower bypass derivatives of the Tornado engines. 4k dry (ten percent less than the 4'4 of the ADV) for better high/dry perfomance
 

Tovarich

Banned
Which would kill any appeal it had on the international market. The US tried the same thing with the F-5 for the 5 minutes that they weren't willing to export the F-16. There weren't many takers. And none once the Falcon was available.

That's the total opposite though, isn't it? The established twin-engine F-5 becoming the single-engine F-20.

(Said Tov, whose sole knowledge here is gleaned from playing 'Ace Combat'.)
 

SsgtC

Banned
That's the total opposite though, isn't it? The established twin-engine F-5 becoming the single-engine F-20.

(Said Tov, whose sole knowledge here is gleaned from playing 'Ace Combat'.)
Yeah, it is. I got my wires crossed. I had been at work for something like 13 or 14 hours (or whatever it was) by that point and was relying on a very fuzzy memory. Lol
 
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