A HMD displays data directly onto the helmet visor, allowing the Gripen pilot to stay ‘heads up’ at crucial points in the mission. The Cobra is a binocular system that displays both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons symbology, as well as basic flight data.

Selected to meet the stringent requirements of the Gripen, the ‘Cobra’ Integrated Display Helmet provides, all weather, all attitude operation over the full combat flight envelope. As a key component to the Gripen weapon delivery system, capabilities include weapon/sensor slaving with real world overlay of flight parameters, sensor data, target cuing and weapon status. These are designed to maximize effectiveness across the whole spectrum of tactical missions.

The Cobra will also allow the SAAF Gripen fighters to use the full potential of their IR-missiles IRIS-T and the future A-Darter, in close-in air combat. The HMD increases the with-in-visual range air-to-air capability considerably. The two first operational flights with the HMD were performed by Officer Commanding, 2 Squadron n, Lt Col Musa Mbhokota. The Instructor in the rear seat was Saab Test Pilot Robin Nordlander.

Apart from the South African Air force, the HMD system will also be integrated into Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters.

The exercise took place in Cambrai, France and is one of the largest air exercises in Europe. The Gripen squadron defended its triumph from last year when they won the Silver Tiger Award and also this year they belonged to one of the best squadrons.

NATO Tiger Meet is not just about the aircraft or the pilot. It stands for a sophisticated system of modern supersonic fighters controlled by a pilot trained at the best level, with the support of qualified and competent technical staff. The Czech Gripen pilot, Lieutenant Milan Nykodym, was one of the participants in NATO Tiger Meet 2011.

“We have trained together with the Swiss Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet and with F16 Fighting Falcon bearing the Turkish and Greek insignia”, he said.

The 211th tactical squadron proved their qualities in dozens of simulated air duels, in rescue operations in aid of downed pilots, in seeking and destroying important targets in the opponents’ rear and as protection of helicopters with paratroopers.

“During the exercise two Czech Gripen fighters were gracing the sky of France in the mornings while in the afternoon fighting in a cluster of four. All demonstrating the great capabilities of the Gripen fighter", he continues.

The NATO Tiger Association (NTA) brings together units from all over the world that have a tiger or other big cat in their logos or emblems. The large-scale international exercise, NATO Tiger Meet, is intended by the association to strengthen the ties between its members.

"We are talking about experienced F-16 pilots from the Royal Thai Air Force so we expect the training to be straightforward," says Captain Anders Hjärp.

The first group of Thai pilots were trained in 2010. That training course lasted one year, partly due to the pilots also being trained to become instructors. They also received training in the roles of both air defence and ground targets. This time however, the pilots will not become instructors. They will be trained in the air defence role, but not as instructors. This means that the training time is halved.

This is the first time that the training is carried out entirely on the Gripen C/D. To begin with, they will study the theory. This is combined with simulator flights. After one month, they will fly in the twin-seat Gripen D together with an instructor. After a week of dual instruction, it will be time to fly solo.

After completing five solo flights, the training will move to the next phase; from CT to CRT. CT stands for Conversion Training and is aimed at learning how to fly the aircraft. CRT stands for Combat Readiness Training. Here, the students learn to operate the radar and weapons systems and how to use them tactically in battle. This part of the training will last for about ten weeks. The training is expected to be completed by the end of June 2011, after which the Thai pilots will return to their home base at Surat Thani.

One year ago an agreement was signed between Akaer and Saab regarding the participation in the Gripen NG development program. The purpose of the agreement was to lay the foundations for good cooperation between the two companies and to support Saab's development and production for the rear and intermediate fuselage sections, wings and landing gear doors for Gripen NG.

Immediately after the agreement signature, a team of Brazilian engineers from Akaer were stationed in Sweden to acquaint themselves with the NG project to participate in the development and to learn about Saab's requirements and methods in the form of technology transfer through 'on the job training'.

At the same time, facilities at Akaer in Brazil were prepared and certified for the work activities related to Gripen NG development, including special security controlled areas equipped with advanced network systems connected with Saab in Sweden.

During 2010 the Akaer team participated in the conception phase including design, stress, tooling and industrialization. The activity migrated to Akaer’s facilities in Brazil along the year.

The technical package including the 3D model and production drawings released today was sent to Saab’s data bank in Linkoping, Sweden through a secure datalink.

Akaer is leading the T1 Brazilian consortium that includes Inbra Aerospace, Friuli, Minoica and Winstall involved in the development of the Gripen NG intermediate and rear fuselages, wings and main landing gear doors.

If selected for the Brazilian F-X2 Program, the serial production of the Gripen NG segments for Brazil and export will be made, as a sole source, from a new facility to be established in São Bernardo do Campo.

Lennart Sindahl Saab Executive Vice President and Business Group Chairman Aeronautics says that “The release of this first drawing has proven the successful co-operation between our two companies proving Saab’s commitment and investment in Brazilian industry and as a future partner. We look forward to our further development together.”

Akaer CEO Cesar Augusto da Silva, Akaer CEO says: This is the first drawing release of a supersonic fighter aircraft ever developed in Brazil and demonstration of the successful technology transfer process conducted by Saab. Akaer is proud of its involvement and the capabilities demonstrated by its team to comply with such challenging task.

Akaer is a Brazilian engineering company and one of the major suppliers of development services to the Brazilian aerospace and defence industry both nationally and internationally.

It was the first live-firing of the Swedish Integration programme. Gripen has also been the launch platform from the start of the development of the Meteor missile.

The purpose of this test was to verify the model on separation of the missile from the aircraft. The impact from the missile exhaust plume on the aircraft engine was also studied. As an important part of the integration work the data-link was verified as well.

An initial evaluation showed that the missile separated from the inboard pylon station in a normal manner and the data link between the missile and the aircraft was activated. Temperature data from the aircraft engine was also monitored. The missiles flight was terminated as planned at a predetermined position.

“Saab together with FMV Test & Evaluation Department accomplished the campaign very successfully. Saab evaluates and analyzes the data gathered from the test firing together with the supplier," said Michael Östergren, Project Manager at FMV.

With this firing the first of two phases in the Swedish integration is now completed. The first phase was designed to support the development of the missile while the next phase is designed to fully integrate the missile on Gripen. The final integration with Gripen for the Swedish Air Force has recently begun and is expected to be finalized during 2013.

Gripen operations began at F 7 in 1997 and the squadrons at Såtenäs have since then been flying the Gripen versions A and B. The 1st Operational Conversion Training Unit (OCTU) at F 7 is now replacing their A/B to C/D.

The Gripen instructors at 1st OCTU are now preparing to train the first batch of Thai Gripen pilots, which recently arrived to Sweden.

The Gripen simulators at F 7 are also being upgraded to Gripen C-status. The MMT – Multi Mission Trainer – is already converted and will soon be followed by the FMS – Full Mission Simulator.

We are now testing all the tactical systems, such as the AESA radar and the new communications system. The test program is very extensive, and the unusually harsh cold and snowy winter here in Sweden has challenged the program schedule but we are now quickly catching up, says Mattias Bergstrom, the Gripen NG Demonstrator project manager.

We have finished, and successfully verified, the flight tests of the electro-optical Missile Approach Warning System (MAW) and the new fuel system with larger internal fuel tanks.

The Gripen NG is the next generation of the Gripen fighter, which is in service with the air forces of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa. It is also ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force and is flown by the Empire Test Pilots School, ETPS, in the UK.

In 2008 the SAAF selected the IRIS-T as an interim short range air-to-air missile. It will ultimately be replaced by the indigenously designed and produced A-Darter, which is still under development.

Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, Chief of the SAAF, said: “This missile is the state of the art high kill probability short range air missile with unrivalled performance capabilities which, when coupled to a helmet mounted display can engage air threats in the rear quarter of the aircraft as is the case with the SAAF Gripens”.

South Africa has ordered 26 Gripen state-of-the-art fighters which are modernising the SAAF’s fast jet fleet and capability.

It currently operates nine dual seat Gripen D aircraft and will soon receive its first of 17 single-seat Gripen C fighters.

The Gripen NG Demonstrator has been modified with a number of tactical systems: AESA radar, a new satellite communication system, an electro-optical missile warning system as well as activation of the increased internal fuel.

"A lot of new features have been implemented since we flew for the first time last year, but it takes an expert to see any external changes to the aircraft. Most clearly visible are the sensors for the missile warning system and antenna for the satellite communication system," says Mattias Bergström, project manager for the Gripen NG Demonstrator.

AESA radar, Active Electronically Scanned Array, is among the enhanced Gripen's capabilities. In simple terms, it refers to a radar that is built up of many small antenna elements into a large antenna. Each individual element can be controlled, facilitating many functions. Previously, the Gripen radar was a mechanically controlled antenna that illuminates one area at a time. An AESA radar can quickly scan larger areas, monitor more targets simultaneously and allow the pilot to operate with more flexibility.

"The new satellite communication system that we have introduced means you can communicate voice and text via satellite technology," explains Mattias Bergström.

The sensors for the electro-optical radar warning system, Missile Approach Warning (MAW), can be seen on the aircraft at the wing root and by the air brake. The system will mainly detect Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).

The flights will now continue and the flight envelope will be opened once again, while all the new tactical systems will be tested.

More than 70 aircrafts were involved in the 43rd NATO Tiger Meet, including Gripens from 211th tactical squadron Čáslav Air Force Base in the Czech Republic. The Czech Air Force has been a member of the Tiger association since 1991 and last year they participated in their first NATO Tiger Meet with Gripen.

NATO Tiger Meet 2009

The exercise was held at the Belgian air base Kleine Brogel and during the ten days of flight the Czech team completed 37 missions. The Commander of 211th Tactical Squadron Čáslav Air Force Base, Jaroslav Mika, assessed the exercise as very useful when he said that NATO Tiger Meet 2009 was a huge benefit for the Czech squadron for the near as well as distant future.

Czech Gripen fighters are experiencing a busy year during which they have in the NATO Air Policing Mission ensured the security of the Baltic States, protected domestic airspace, participated in international military exercises and presented themselves to the public at many air shows. Their participation in NATO Tiger Meet 2009 will give them the possibility to apply for full membership in the association next year.