(NSI News Source Info) January 17, 2009: With the delivery of the second, updated request for proposal to the three manufacturers Dassault, EADS and Saab, the evaluation of a successor for the F-5 Tiger is proceeding as planned. 
The 12 F-5F Tiger II double seater aircraft were acquired in the two procurements. Their weapons and cockpits are identical to the single seater fighter-bomber type. This makes them suitable not only for conversion training and instruction, but also for combat missions (during which there is usually a systems operator aboard on the second seat). For the combat missions, the aircraft is equipped with a 20mm gun and two guided missiles. (Registration: J-3201 to J-3212).
In the updated request for proposal the manufacturers are asked to submit an offer for 22 aircraft. In addition, armasuisse [the Swiss defence procurement agency—Ed.] sets the budget at CHF 2.2 billion and inquires how many aircraft can be delivered for this amount.
In the updated request for proposal the results and data gathered from the ground and flight tests and from the first offer have been incorporated. This includes functions and performances which do not meet the military requirements. armasuisse wants to give the manufacturers the opportunity to propose respective improvements. Improvements are also sought in additional fields.
A priorisation with respect to military cooperation should guarantee that the peak demand for pilots can be covered when the new aircraft are introduced. Furthermore armasuisse investigates the possibility of conducting a training with a TTE squadron during the months of June, July and August from a base in the manufacturing country.
New ways are also examined to minimise operating costs and to ensure the competences of Swiss Industry in the field of aeronautical technologies. A strategic cooperation between the aircraft companies, armasuisse and Swiss aviation industry should enable Switzerland to participate in further developments of the TTE. In addition the possibility of reducing maintenance costs is investigated.
Offers, flight and ground tests
The two-stage process of requests for proposal began in January 2008 with the first request for proposal armasuisse addressed to the four aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Dassault, EADS and Saab. In April 2008 Boeing decided not to submit an offer. The remaining manufacturers submitted their offers in July 2008. With the delivery of the second request for proposal the manufacturers now have until mid April 2009 to submit an updated offer.
In July 2008 the flight and ground tests with the three remaining candidates began. For this purpose two two-seaters each of the "Rafale" (Dassault), "Eurofighter" (EADS) and "Gripen" (Saab) aircraft were stationed at the Emmen military airbase. The tests were completed at the beginning of December 2008.
The next steps?
The evaluation of the tests and updated offers will be concluded at the end of May 2009 with the evaluation report prepared by armasuisse in close cooperation with the Swiss Air Force. After consultation with the Chief of the Armed Forces, the National Armament Director will propose the preferred candidate to the Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).
The further schedule foresees:
-- The selection of the aircraft type is planned for July 2009.
-- Together with the bill on Armament Program 2010, the collective Federal Council will approve the procurement of the selected type and submit it to Swiss Parliament.
-- Treatment of the Partial Tiger Replacement by Swiss Parliament is foreseen for 2010.
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