News

2017-01-09

Saab expands into Brazil, upgrades Gripen

Gripen, designed for continuous upgrades, defeats all new combat challenges

Saab, a Swedish aerospace and defence company, has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding upgrades to the Gripen C/D system.

The order value is approximately SEK 215 million and deliveries will take place between 2017 and 2019.

The new order, which is largely supplementary to the so-called MS20 upgrade carried out in Sweden in 2016, includes improvements to the aircraft’s avionics and sensor systems such as the interface between the aircraft and pilot, upgrades to the support and training systems, equipment purchasing, as well as device modifications.

“Today, Gripen C/D is the backbone of several air forces around the world and we see significant, sustained interest from the market,” says Jerker Ahlqvist, head of business unit Gripen within Saab business area Aeronautics.

“Gripen’s unique design enables a continuous upgrade of the system, which means that we can offer our customers the latest technology and thereby meet both current and future needs for operational capability.”

The complete MS20 upgrade is now fully operational with the Swedish Air Force, and upgrades that enable MS20 for the Czech Air Force are on-going. MS20 provides a range of new capability options and includes new weapons, command and control functions, radar functions, and improved reconnaissance capabilities.

By virtue of MS20, Gripen is the world’s first fighter aircraft that is operational with the ramjet-powered missile Meteor.

The ramjet-powered Meteor, developed by MBDA with Saab as a key partner, is an advanced, long-range and agile air-to-air weapon that is uniquely designed to counter the most sophisticated airborne threats of the 21st century.

Meteor is a tactical missile with strategic effect. Its extremely long range (beyond 100 km) and unrivalled no escape zone (three times greater than any current BVR missile) will dominate the future air-to-air battle space, giving a decisive capability to Gripen and its pilots.

As is always the case with Gripen, the customers are free to decide how, when, and to what degree they employ the new capabilities provided by the upgrade.

In the air-to-ground role MS20 delivers further significant enhancements. This includes integration of the Boeing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) for a high-precision, long-range strike capability. A smart launcher can carry four SDBs, with a maximum of 16 on a single Gripen.

Gripen’s ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) capabilities are expanded through a modified reconnaissance pod that provides infra-red sensors plus real-time display of images in cockpit and increased data recording.

A further improved Link 16 datalink system supports a significant increase in data exchange between other fighters and C2 nodes. This boosts situational awareness and underpins new air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, including high-precision ‘digital’ CAS (close air support).

Among other MS20 pilot-centred enhancements are a new ground collision and avoidance system (GCAS) to protect the aircraft in demanding low-altitude environments, and an improved CBRN system that allows Gripen to stay operational and effective in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack.

Saab sets up an innovation hub in Brazil

Saab and Embraer Defense & Security recently inaugurated the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN) in Gavião Peixoto, in the state of São Paulo.

The GDDN will be the hub for the Gripen NG technology development in Brazil for Saab and Embraer together with the Brazilian partner industries and institutions, AEL Sistemas, Atech, Akaer and the Brazilian Air Force, through its research department DCTA.

The GDDN includes the development environment and simulators required to undertake the fighter development work. In addition, the GDDN is connected to Saab in Sweden and the industrial partners in Brazil, securing both technology transfer and efficient development.

“We have a long-term commitment to Brazil,” said Håkan Buskhe, CEO and president of Saab. “The launch of the GDDN is a key milestone in the Brazilian Gripen programme as it will be the basis for the technology transfer and fighter development in the country.

“Embraer and Saab have a long and proven record in the development and application of innovative technologies in the aeronautical industry. This co-operation is key to assure the best support for the Brazilian Air Force in the coming years” said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

The GDDN facility is located at Embraer premises in Gavião Peixoto, where also the Gripen Flight Test Center and the Gripen Final Assembly will be based.

Technology Transfer

Between 2019 and 2024, 36 Gripen NG fighters will be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force. To accomplish the deliveries Saab has a strong collaborative partnership with Brazilian industry, such as Embraer, AEL Sistemas, Akaer, Atech, Mectron, Inbra, and Atmos.

The technology transfer programme for Brazil covers four areas aiming to provide the Brazilian aerospace industry with the technology and knowledge needed to maintain and develop Gripen in Brazil:

• Theoretical training

• Research and technology programmes

• On-the-job-training in Sweden

• Development and production work

Between October 2015 and 2024, more than 350 professionals, engineers, operators, technicians and pilots from Saab’s partner companies and the air force in Brazil, will go to Sweden to participate in courses and on-the-job training.

Skills and knowledge will be gained by Brazilian industry enabling extensive Gripen development and production work, including final assembly, in Brazil. The technology transfer programme is divided into 60 key projects, lasting up to 24 months.

Embraer will undertake a large share of work in the production and delivery of both the single and two-seat versions of the Gripen NG. The company will also be responsible for extensive work packages in systems development, integration, flight test, final assembly and aircraft deliveries.

Furthermore, Embraer and Saab will be jointly responsible for the complete development of the two-seat version of the Gripen NG.

Reference Photo / Text:

www.saabgroup.com

Comments () Views (9423 ) Print

Send To Friend