Saab Gripen. Photo Credit: SaabApril 24, 2008 (Sawf News) - Gripen Demo, a new flying development platform for current and future generations of Gripen, was unveiled for the first time by Saab on April 23. One of the new features is a completely new radar, that Saab is developing in collaboration with the French company Thales.
Saab Gripen. Photo Credit: Saab"We have equipped this aircraft with a new stronger engine and a completely new modular avionics system. The aircraft will have a greater payload and a longer range. In addition, Saab, together with Thales, will develop a completely new type of radar. The development will mean that Gripen will be able to maintain its position at the cutting edge of development for the next 30 - 40 years. Gripen Demo will fly for the first time during 2008," says Åke Svensson, CEO of Saab.
Saab Gripen. Photo Credit: Saab Gripen Demo, will be used to introduce new technology and functions to Gripen. The new capabilities could be the basis for a totally new version and will be completely or partially integrated into current versions of Gripen.
Saab Gripen. Photo Credit: SaabThe development of Gripen is done in collaboration with some of the world´s leading companies within the aircraft industry: General Electric, Volvo Aero, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, APPH, Terma, Martin-Baker and Meggitt.
The latest in the line is Thales, which means that two of the world´s leading radar developers are now collaborating to equip Gripen with the most advanced AESA radar technology (Active Electronically Scanned Array).
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