Mauler wrote:...
I guess these days the okes just stick a GoPro onto a Gripen.
Although that was said in jest, the Hawk Mk120 at AFB Overberg actually did have five GoPro cameras fitted for weapons trials. The SAAF & Denel were looking for a cost-effective way to film weapons releases in high definition without using a chase plane so they designed glass/epoxy composite fairings to house the cameras. Three were placed on the vertical fin looking forward and to either side, one in a fairing on the left wing missile rail and the other under the belly.
Here's a photo of the left wing fairing:
Screen Shot 2015-01-11 at 02.23.58.png
As for the Gripen, 2 Squadron actually has the choice of two systems. The first is the
Thales Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod, which is a 250 kg multi-camera high-resolution wide field-of-view reconnaissance pod capable of real-time data downlinking. It was first used operationally during the 2010 World Cup.
The second option, also first used operationally during the World Cup, is the 200kg
LITENING III targeting and reconnaissance pod. It does not have as wide a field-of-view as the DJRP, but has a set of very good stabilised cameras, a FLIR that can be projected onto the pilot's helmet mounted display and a laser designator for the SAAF's Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
Back to the Canberra, this explains why there's no longer a need for dedicated bomber or reconnaissance aircraft for a smaller air force like ours, as modern multi-role fighter jets are able to perform the same roles.
The Gripen already has all the necessary capabilities ready, all the SAAF needs is aerial refuelling aircraft to allow for extended or long-range operations and the funding to fly them as much as they originally planned to, build up sufficient stocks of weaponry and keep the pilots current on all aspects of combat operations.
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