Saab's Maiden Flight With Gripen Demo

(May 27, 2008) -- Today at 10.55 - 11.25 Saab conducted the maiden flight with the Gripen Demo, the test bed for the further development of Gripen. The flight lasted for 30 minutes and went totally according to plan.

"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. It also shows our own ability to develop new, more efficient working methods." says Lars-Erik Svedlund, Saab's project manager for the Gripen demonstrator programme.

Since the Gripen Demo was presented, the programme has proceeded with ground trials and continual evaluations in order to guarantee flight safety. 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. 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." says test pilot Mikael Seidl, who together with his colleague Magnus Ljungdahl crewed the first flight.

Source : Saab

Recent News from Saab

• Saab Creates Interoperability for Multinational Exercises [Defence] [ Thu 25 Sep 2008 ]
• Saab's Comment on Proposal to Reduce the Budget for Defence Material [Defence] [ Mon 22 Sep 2008 ]
• Saab and TCS Sign Letter of Intent in India [Aerospace] [Aviation] [Defence] [ Thu 11 Sep 2008 ]
• Saab's Divestment of Saab Space Finalized [Space] [ Tue 2 Sep 2008 ]
• The Netherlands Shows Interest in Gripen [Aerospace] [Defence] [ Mon 25 Aug 2008 ]
• Saab Wins Contract for Tactical and Gunnery Training to Estonia [Defence] [ Thu 21 Aug 2008 ]
• Saab Offers Further Industrial Collaboration to Norway [Defence] [ Mon 4 Aug 2008 ]