Wed, May 28, 2008
Plane Is A Flying Test Platform For New Technologies
On Tuesday morning, Saab conducted the 30-minute maiden flight
of its Gripen Demo test bed aircraft, which sports a number of
advancements likely to be seen in future generations of the Gripen
fighter.
"We're flying what in many aspects is a completely new aircraft
a month after Roll-Out. This is quite unique and it shows Gripen's
opportunities for further development," said Lars-Erik Svedlund,
Saab's project manager for the Gripen demonstrator program. "It
also shows our own ability to develop new, more efficient working
methods."
As ANN reported, Saab took
the wraps off the Gripen Demo last month. Since then, Saab has
proceeded with ground trials and evaluations in preparation for the
first flight. Tuesday's flight took place in good weather from
Saab's airfield in Linkoping, and was conducted according to a
well-rehearsed schedule.
"Everything went according to plan," said test pilot Mikael
Seidl, who together with Magnus Ljungdahl crewed the first flight.
"The Gripen Demo is more powerful compared to earlier versions of
Gripen but is just as easily flown. We look forward to continuing
the test programme at the same high pace as up to now."
Maximum altitude for the first flight was 21,00 feet, and
maximum speed was 320 knots.
The Gripen Demo aircraft is a flying test platform for the next
generation of Gripen and for the further development of present
versions. The aircraft will test and develop many of the essential
systems and capabilities that will be applied to the Gripen NG
(Next Generation) design, such as a more powerful engine, active
electronically scanned (AESA) radar, and advanced communications
gear and weapons.
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