Sweden orders Helmet-Mounted Display for Gripen

Sweden orders Helmet-Mounted Display for Gripen

Swedish Air Force new generation Gripen fighters will be equipped with the
latest version of a helmet mounted display (HMD) system. The order from FMV,
Sweden's Defence Material Administration is worth SEK 345 million ($US 54
million).

The helmet mounted display system, including the BAE Systems Cobra helmet, is a
key element of Gripen's advanced systems fit and has already been ordered by the
South African Air Force.

“This order is further evidence of the confidence Sweden has in Gripen,” says
Lennart Sindahl, business unit manager at Saab Aerosystems. “HMD further
improves the Swedish Gripen fleet's already expansive operating capacity.” 

The HMD displays weapon and basic flight data directly onto the helmet visor,
allowing the Gripen pilot to stay ‘heads-up' at crucial points during a mission
and to react faster in an aerial battle, for example. Using the system, the
pilot can search out a target, lock on to it and fire his missile.

The HMD system has been tested on the Gripen new generation fighter since 2005
and is available as an option on the export version of Gripen. Saab's experience
with HMD's dates back nearly 10 years and big efforts have been poured into
system development and symbology evolution.

Gripen is the first of the new generation, multi-role combat aircraft to enter
service. Using the latest available technology it is capable of performing an
extensive range of air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions and
employing the latest weapons. Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current
and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for
flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs. Gripen
is in service with the Swedish, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has
also been ordered by the South African Air Force. The UK Empire Test Pilots'
School (ETPS) is operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test
pilots worldwide.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and
solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations
and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new
technology to meet customers´ changing needs. 

For further information, please contact:

Owe Wagermark, Communications Director, Gripen International
Phone:+46 13 18 18 24 Mobile:+46 734 18 18 24 

Jonas Lindell, Communication Director, Saab Aerosystems	
Phone: +46 13 18 71 73. Mobile: +46 734 18 71 73.

www.saabgroup.com      www.gripen.com