GlobalEye off to a flying start during 2018
Saab’s GlobalEye has achieved a number of significant milestones in 2018, commencing with the rollout of the first aircraft in February 2018. GlobalEye is an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft that is a ‘true swing role multi-mission solution’. It combines multiple sensors and sophisticated data fusion into an intuitive mission system on the Bombardier Global 6000 jet with fully networked communications. This capability gives ‘excellent’ flexibility across the full mission spectrum in peacetime to warfighting, and particularly benefits joint force commanders managing combined air, sea and land operations.
Gripen E in the air with Swiss pylons
Saab’s Gripen E programme continues to make progress. The Gripen aircraft with designation 39-8 has conducted a number of successful flights carrying external stores, including pylons from the Swiss company RUAG Aerostructures. Since the first flight with the Gripen E test aircraft (39-8) last year, an intensive flight trials period has been successfully conducted. The aircraft has shown throughout the expansion of the envelope expected performance and behaviors, with high availability and reliability. Gripen has now taken another big step towards customer delivery next year by flying with external stores.
Gripen E’s pylons are installations by which additional tanks for fuel, surveillance systems or guided weapons can be attached under the aircraft. Eight pylons are supplied per aircraft. These technologically sophisticated components include both electronic as well as mechanical systems and must meet the highest demands regarding aerodynamics and load capacity.
The first flights with external stores were conducted over the Baltic Sea at the beginning of July. Besides two of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, the aircraft carried five pylons designed and built together with the Swiss company RUAG Aerostructures.
Sweden Submits Gripen Proposal to Bulgaria
On 1 October, the Swedish Defence Material Administration submitted the Swedish Gripen proposal to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence. The Swedish offer consists of eight new fully NATO-interoperable Gripen C/D fighter aircraft to equip the Bulgarian Air Force. The Swedish offer consists of eight new NATO interoperable Gripen aircraft with the latest MS20 configuration, which can be delivered to the Bulgarian Air Force within a short time period, with the first aircraft delivered within 24 months of contract signature. Training of pilots and technicians is included and with the offer full QRA capability will be achieved within the budget framework.
Gripen C/D is in operational service with the air forces of Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, Czech Republic and Thailand. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (UK ETPS) uses Gripen as its fast jet platform for test pilots from all over the world. With Gripen, NATO member states Czech Republic and Hungary successfully participate in NATO missions and joint exercises with other NATO countries. The development of the Gripen C/D is on-going and the system will remain operational for at least another 30 years.
Arthur Support Contract from South Korea
Saab has signed a contract with South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) regarding support for the Arthur Weapon Locating System. This Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract includes spare parts supply and support for the Republic of Korea Army and Marine Corps. The contract value is approximately 500 million SEK and the contract period 2018-2023. Saab made the first delivery of Arthur systems to South Korea in 2009 and have had annual support contracts for these systems in place since 2012. Saab also participated in delivery of additional Arthur systems from 2012 within a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) with the Korean company LIG Nex1.
Surface Launch RBS15 Gungnir unveiled
Saab has unveiled the surface launch version of RBS15 Gungnir, the next generation anti-ship missile system. The surface launch version of RBS15 Gungnir uses the all new RBS15 Mk4 Surface missile: it provides greater range, enhanced defence penetration and electronic protection as well as a more advanced target seeker, allowing it to engage any target, in all conditions. The RBS15 Mk4 Surface missile is used in both the sea system and the land system of RBS15 Gungnir. It is designed to provide commonality through easy integration on both land- and sea-based platforms of almost any size. The system is fully backwards compatible, so an investment in Mk3 today opens a smooth path to transition into Gungnir tomorrow.
The RBS15 missile family is jointly produced by Saab and Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG and serves with various navies, coastal batteries and air forces from Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Thailand and an undisclosed country.
New Lightweight Torpedo Arrives
Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo (SLWT) has been unveiled: the SLWT is ‘one of the most advanced and sophisticated torpedoes’ on the market and has been ordered by Sweden and Finland. Saab is now pursuing additional customers on the export market. The development of SLWT is with the Baltic Sea in mind, which is a marine enviroment with the most challenging factors for littorial anti-submarine warfare.
Order from Boeing for the Advanced Pilot Training Aircraft T-X
Saab has received an order from Boeing for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase for the Advanced Pilot Training Aircraft, T-X. The value of this order is approximately MUSD 117.6 and the order will run until 2022. Saab and Boeing were selected by the US Air Force on 27 September for the T-X programme, a new era in Saab and Boeing’s partnership going forward. The T-X programme is divided into multiple phases. This order concerns the first phase, EMD, in which Saab and Boeing industrialise the T-X aircraft together with the customer. EMD includes testing, US military flight certification and delivery of five jets. The EMD phase will be followed by a serial production phase. Saab and Boeing have developed the T-X aircraft together. Saab is a risk-sharing partner with Boeing in the development. Boeing is the designated prime contractor for the advanced pilot training system acquisition by the US Air Force.