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More on the Gripen. After further reading, this "supercruise" offered by the Gripen is unverified outside of the manufacturer. Indeed, earlier versions could not manage it at all.
The Gripen NG with `414`s has a marginal supercruise at 1.05 Mach, firmly rooted in the transonic regime, and this with a light combat load or maybe even clean. This label will only hinder it, I would suggest SAAB drop this and concentrate on its "real" capabilities.
Even the Typhoon`s 1.2M supercruise seems only slightly better, unless the aircraft can sustain that speed without killing range too much.
The Gripen has done better because it is cheaper, smaller, been around longer (first operational 4th gen`), and is tailored to suit a smaller nations budget and operational requirements. (look at customer list.)
If India wants a tactical fighter bomber with long legs, Gripen isn`t it. I think a country like India should be thinking bigger, and badder than the Gripen.
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"Liberty is a thing beyond all price.
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