Update on major SAAF acquisition projects
Date: 9 March 2007
The SAAF has released details of the program status for a number of aircraft acquisition projects.
Gripen program update
The Air Force is due to receive 26 Gripen Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA) - the first of 9 dual-seater aircraft will be delivered from April 2008 and the single seat deliveries start in November 2009. Single seat Gripen number 17 will be delivered in December 2011. The Gripen dual seat airframe design was completed at the end of 2004 whilst the single seater design is due for completion in the beginning of 2008.
The SAAF has released details of the program status, with the software design well under way and the final edition is due during the last quarter of 2007.
The flight test program at TFDC is on schedule and should be completed in October 2007. A successful Electronic Warfare functionality capability demonstration was conducted during February 2007. The final unguided weapons clearances are scheduled for 2008. Missile and final data link integration and testing is scheduled for 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. The missile update and delivery is expected at the beginning of 2011.
The Mission Support system has passed the Critical Design Review (CDR) and is due for acceptance and delivery during the 2nd quarter of 2008. The Squadron Level Mission Trainers and Computer Based Trainer system have passed the CDR stage and is due for delivery at the end of 2007 to beginning of 2008.
All the logistic activities are well under way with the facilities due for completion at the close of 2007. The Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for the aircrew has been completed during 2006 whilst the groundcrew TNA is due for completion during mid 2007 - the development and production of the courseware is currently in process.
The initial cadre of Gripen groundcrew training in Sweden started in February 2007 and should be completed by 20 June 2007.
Hawk status report
The SAAF has released an update on the status of the introduction of the Hawk into SAAF service.
Of the 24 Hawk Lead-in Fighter Aircraft (LIFT) ordered, 16 have been delivered with the final delivery due in July 2007. The LIFT system started training during mid 2006 utilizing the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) and the Computer Based Training System (CBT). The final aircraft and OFT software version is well on schedule to be in service during mid 2008. The full OFT visual system will be available from May 2007. The Air Force will be in a position to do stabilized fighter aircrew training with the Hawk LIFT system as of November 2007.
The first version of groundcrew courseware was delivered at the end of 2005 and completed the syllabus review successfully - the initial on-the-job training (OJT) was completed at the end of 2006. The final version of training courseware will be presented for acceptance during the last quarter of 2007.
The current Mission Planning and Debrief System utilized by Hawk is an interim system - the final version is to be delivered in two versions, the first being the end of 2008 and the final delivery at the end 2009. The late delivery was due to efforts to get maximum commonality with the Gripen planning system.
The final SAAF Hawk LIFT training system will be an integral part of a three tier combat training system starting with the Astra and culminating in the 4th generation Gripen system.
A109 receives interim release to service
It was announced on 9 March that the Agusts A109 LUH had received an interim release to service for general helicopter operations and training, excluding instrument flying and over the sea operations.
Fifteen aircraft have been delivered to date, with the sixteenth aircraft (no 4017) in acceptance this week (5-9 March). A further nine deliveries will be made from March 2007 to March 2008, while the last five aircraft will be received from March 2008 to December 2008.
Super Lynx to be delivered in May 2007
South Africa has ordered four Super Lynx 300 Mk 64 helicopters from AgustaWestland to operate from the SA Navy's Meko A200SAN class frigattes. The helicopters will provide a surface search capability in the anti-surface warfare roles, search and rescue (SAR), maritime patrol and utility duties.
The Project Maulstic team has started the level 6 implementation phase and expect to have all four helicopters delivered by the end of May 2007.
The outstanding development aspects include Electronic Warfare, secure communications and wind-envelope trials on the frigattes. Operational Test and Evaluation will start shortly after delivery and will be performed in a phased approach.
Two flying crew consisting of two pilots and three navigators are presently being trained in the UK while twelve technical members and ten avionic members had been qualified.
Rooivalk capability update
South Africa has ordered 12 Rooivalk Combat Support Helicopters of which all twelve have been delivered to the SAAF.
The SAAF has revealed that these twelve helicopters are currently utilised for capability development as well as limited Operational Test and Evaluation at 16 Squadron. In parallel is the development of the Interim Operational Baseline, which will be utilised for Peace Support Operations. All twelve helicopters will start with a retrofit program to be upgraded to the Interim Operational Baseline. This baseline will be fully certified by the Military Airworthiness Board by the end of February 2008, and ready for deployment by June 2008. This baseline will consist of a basic weapons capability, inclusive of 20 mm cannon and 70 mm rockets, as well as a full Electronic Warfare Suite. The Rooivalk will also be capable of operating in adverse weather conditions with the inclusion of an IFR capability.
Future upgrades of the Rooivalk include the Mokopa Anti Tank Missile as well as a Missile Approach Warning System.
Lt.Gen. Carlo Gagiano, Chief of the Airforce, has admitted that the Rooivalk had experienced a mechanical set-back recently, but this had been corrected. As a result, crew were behind in their training programme and this was the reason for the non-appearance of the Rooivalk at the Air Force Day capability display on 1 February, not that they were still grounded.
Update of status of Hecules upgrade
Further to our report of 4 January 2007, the SAAF has confirmed that Hercules 403 will be redelivered to 28 Squadron dueing March 2008, after the fuel tanks were over-pressured during a test procedure on the fuel system.
Hercules 402 is planned for redelivery in June 2007.
A400M project status
The SAAF has contracted for the purchase of eight A400M transport aircraft under Project Continent.
The SAAF Continent Joint Project Team has established an Overseas Office in Toulouse and the deployment of SAAF and Armscor members should be complete by the end of March 2007.
The first South African aircraft is due to be delivered at the end of 2010, with the remaining aircraft being delivered before the end of 2012.
