Grippen E

By Sangeeta Saxena

New Delhi. 18 May, 2016. The count down has begun. Saab  is all set to unveil the first test aircraft of the next generation, Gripen E. It will be a key milestone in the evolution of The Smart Fighter.

The next generation Gripen, the Gripen E, is built to adapt to changing threats and operational requirements that modern air forces face. Gripen E offers operational dominance and flexibility with superior mission survivability. Air-to-air superiority is guaranteed with METEOR, AMRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9 missile capability and supercruise. Air-to-surface capability is assured through the use of the latest generation precision weapons and targeting sensors. Gripen E’s superior situation awareness is ensured through an AESA radar, IRST passive sensor, HMD, cutting-edge avionics, next generation data processing and a state-of-the-art cockpit.

“There is huge global interest in the Gripen fighter system and we are now ready to present the first Gripen E. We look forward to sharing this important event with both guests and viewers,” said Ulf Nilsson, head of Saab business area Aeronautics. “This key milestone is proof of our ability to build world-class fighters on time and on budget and it brings us one step closer to first flight and delivery to our customer”, he added.

Together with proven Network Centric Warfare capabilities including advanced data communications, dual data links, satellite communications and video links, make Gripen E the ideal independent fighter of choice. On-board sensors, in combination with HMD/NVG, deliver the ability to detect and destroy a wide variety of targets, even at night or in poor weather conditions.

The unveiling of the first Gripen E test aircraft will take place  at Saab’s facilities in Linköping. Among the speakers were the Swedish Minister for Defence, Peter Hultqvist; the Swedish Air Force Chief of Staff, Mats Helgesson; Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Nivaldo Luiz Rossato; and from Saab the Chairman of the Board, Marcus Wallenberg; the CEO, Håkan Buskhe and head of business area Aeronautics, Ulf Nilsson.

Gripen E is a fully NATO-interoperable, true multi-role fighter with outstanding availability, tailored for the future Network Centric Warfare (NCW) environment. Gripen E will meet the demanding operational requirements of the 21st century air forces and its unrivalled multi-role capability provides excellent tactical flexibility.

2016 has been a year of laurels for SAAB.  Hungary recently marked the first ten years of Gripen operations. It’s FFV Ordnance, is celebrating 40 years of being in India with Carl-Gustaf  production. In addition to the recent partnerships with Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge, Tata Power SED and Tech Mahindra, business has been brisk at Barracuda and Kockum its camouflage and naval arm respectively.