Participates In Evaluation Trials For Combat Aircraft In
India
The Gripen NG demo made its International debut last week by
taking part in the last phase of the Indian evaluation trials for
the MMRCA (Medium Multi- Role Combat Aircraft) tender in India. To
date the aircraft has flown some 135 test flights in Sweden and is
now testing its wings abroad, showing the international arena that
next generation Gripen fighter development is on track.
"This achievement just shows the expertise and high technology
capability that Sweden boasts in developing and manufacturing a
fighter aircraft of this calibre. Several International pilots have
already flown and evaluated the Gripen NG demo in Sweden, including
pilots from Brazil and India and we are confident that this
aircraft meets, or exceeds every operational requirement raised by
the Indian Air Force," says Eddy de la Motte, Gripen Campaign
Director, India.
The fighter cleared the high altitude trials at the Leh air
base, which is in the Himalayas at an elevation of over 9,000
feet.
The Gripen NG demo is the flying platform which is being used to
train and develop the new technologies and features incorporated
into the Gripen NG. The Gripen NG has been specifically developed
to meet the operational requirements of countries such as India and
Brazil, which requires a next generation fighter with significantly
increased combat range and endurance, increased payload and super
cruise capability.
Meanwhile, Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence
Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop an avionics system for the
Gripen. The order is valued at $56 million, divided over 2
years.
The order means that work will begin on a new avionics system,
including new computers and displays, which will enter into service
10 years from now.
"Gripen is under continuous development. Computers with the best
performance possible today will be viewed as inadequate for the
tasks facing Gripen in ten years, when the aircraft must remain
modern for a further twenty years. Few high-tech products have a
service life as long as Gripen," says Lennart Sindahl, Vice
President at Saab and head of the Aeronautics business area.
Saab says the new avionics system will enhance Gripen's capacity
to handle large quantities of complex information with different
security classification levels. A new avionics system also makes it
possible in the future to introduce new sensors that require
altered system architecture.