A Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft flies with Meteor air-to-air missile. Credit: Saab AB.

Saab’s Gripen E multirole fighter aircraft has successfully completed a test flight with the Meteor active radar-guided beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).

During the test flight conducted from Saab’s airfield at Linköping, Sweden, the Gripen E jet was integrated with two MBDA-built Meteor missiles, designated 39-8.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The current trial is part of the weapon integration project being carried out under the Gripen E test programme.

Following this, Saab intends to continue flying the aircraft with different configurations, gradually increasing the flight envelope.

Saab Gripen experimental test pilot Robin Nordlander said: “The aircraft continues to perform as smoothly as we have seen throughout the whole flight test phase flying with external stores.

“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming steps in the flight test programme, taking us closer and closer to completing weapon integration. Meteor makes Gripen E extremely capable in the air dominance role.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
“The ramjet propulsion system of the radar-guided missile provides it with high-speed performance and increased energy to defeat fast, moving targets at a very long range.”

The Meteor BVRAAM can successfully engage a range of air targets autonomously both during the day and at night, as well as in adverse conditions and harsh electronic warfare scenarios.

The ramjet propulsion system of the radar-guided missile provides it with high-speed performance and increased energy to defeat fast, moving targets at a very long range.

In July 2016, Saab’s Gripen C/D aircraft became the world’s first combat jet to be operational with the Meteor BVRAAM.

Known as MS20, the operational upgrade was certified, approved and implemented into service by Saab, the Swedish Air Force and Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).

Built as an upgraded variant to the Gripen C/D multi-role jet, the 15.2m-long Gripen E fighter features ten pylon stations that allow the aircraft to carry reconnaissance pods, weapons, and external fuel tanks.