Robin Nordlander is test pilot of JAS Gripen at Saab in Linköping. He brought with him one of the test aircraft of the latest model JAS 39E Gripen, which was shown during flight day on F17.
- This is the first time it has left Linköping and we are presenting it to the public, which is very exciting, he says.
The new Gripen E has a number of new features that the Armed Forces are demanding, he says. Among other things, longer range, updated avionics (avionics), new sensors and more beam positions to carry more external load.
- We can stay longer in the air, we can take longer distances, and then the avionics is new in that we can handle faster upgrades on the tactical systems. By extension, it will also become cheaper then.
Do you offer some tricks in the air then?
- We take it a bit carefully, because this is the first time we are out. This is a show, we do not offer a full show this time, we will see if we can do it next year.
After a completed demonstration, the new JAS plane flew back to SAAB's airfield in Linköping again.