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Aviation History
1994
1994 - 2287.PDF
Nerve centre Sweden prepares to open its tactical training and conversion centre for the JAS39 Gripen. SIMON ELLIOTT/SATENAS Svenska Flygvapnet (Swedish air force) wing F7, based at Satenas in southern Sweden, will soon be the focus of attention for Swedish combat-aircraft operations. The reason is simple. The base, is to become the centralised tactical training and conversion centre for the JAS39 Gripen. As Krister Backryd, the wing commander in charge of the base, says: "The task for Satenas is not to be the first Gripen wing, it is also our task to train the Gripen pilots and staff. Our main task is to produce war units." The multi-role JAS39, being developed by the Industrigruppen (IG) JAS will eventually constitute the entire combat element of the Swedish air force. IG JAS members are Ericsson, FFV Aerotech, Saab-Scania and Volvo Aero. Work is progressing at a rapid pace to begin operations with the Gripen at Satenas. The first three production aircraft, 39.103, .104 and .105, have already been delivered to F7, although they are now based at Linkoping, where they are being used to train F7 Gripen maintenance and servicing personnel. Further initial deliveries of production Gripens to F7 will see the aircraft based at defence-procure ment agency FMV's base at Malmen, where they will be operated by F7's tactical develop ment squadron, TU39. Backryd says that construction of Gripen hanger space at Satenas will begin at the end of 1994, with F7's AJ37 Viggen multi-mission combat-aircraft squadrons beginning to con vert to the new aircraft in October 1995, when the first JAS39s become operational. In November of that year the JAS 3 9 support site at Satenas is due to open and, by April 1996, according to Backryd, both of his combat-air craft squadrons at the base will have converted to the Gripen. They will both be fully opera tional by 1997. Varying reasons are behind the air force's decision to centralise tactical training at Satenas. One of the major advantages is cost efficiency, says Backryd. This is because of die reduced numbers of advanced training sites required. Another reason is training efficiency — with F7 carrying out the tactical training, all of the professional instructors can be based at Satenas. The centralisation also leads to opera tional efficiency in training. Additionally, F7 would be used as the centre for re-organising combat forces in the event of war losses. CONVERSION PROCESS The Flyvapnet is in the process of completing its preparation period for beginning opera tions with the Gripen. This began in June 1993 and will finish in October 1995, when the conversion process will begin, being complet ed with eight squadrons operating 140 Gripens by 2002. The last will be declared operational in 2003. Backryd says that the tactical training at F7 will cover the Gripen's three roles of fighter, attack and reconnaissance. Pilots will make the transition directly from the Gripen simulators, housed in the Gripen support complex at F7. This is because the first two-seat JAS39B will not enter service until 1999. Training systems at the JAS 3 9 support site include full mission simulators, multi-mission trainers and desk-top computer-based training. Backryd says that extensive training for Gripen pilots will be carried out on AJ37, JA37, SF and SH Viggens before transfer to the Gripen. This will be further facilitated by the AJS37 upgrade being carried out on 75 Aj, SF and SH aircraft following the award of a May 1991 contract. This upgrade enables the Viggen to be used for combat missions, providing famil iarisation with the Gripen's capabilities. Viggen training will be followed by a six- month period of basic training at Satenas, fol lowing which the pilots will carry out advanced Gripen: has been flown on over 1,400 test flights FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 21 - 27 September 1994
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