Defence and security company Saab took the next step in the evolution of the Gripen fighter system on 18 May, with the unveiling of the first test aircraft of the next generation, Gripen E. Gripen E is equipped with a highly integrated and sophisticated sensor suite including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST), Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, and datalink technology, which, when combined gives the pilot, and co-operating forces exactly the information needed at all times.

The unveiling of the first Gripen E test aircraft took place at Saab’s facilities in Linköping. Among the speakers are 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.

«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», says 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», says Ulf Nilsson.

 

KEY DATA

Length overall	15.2 m/50 feet
Width overall	8.6 m/28 feet
Basic mass empty	8,000 kg/17,637 lbs
Internal fuel	3,400 kg/7,496 lbs
Maximum takeoff weight	16,500 kg/36,376 lbs
Maximum thrust	98 kN/9,993 kgf/22,031 lbf
Minimum takeoff distance	500 m/1,640 feet
Landing distance	600 m/1,968 feet
Maximum speed at sea level	> 756 knots/870 mph/1400 km/h
Maximum speed at high altitude	Mach 2
Supercruise capability	Yes
Maximum service altitude	> 16,000 m/52,500 feet
G-limits	-3G / +9G
Hardpoints	10
Combat turnaround air-to-air	10 min
Full engine replacement	1 hour

 

Saab Unveils the New Gripen E Smart Fighter