RUAG prepares to make Gripen E/F payload suspensions
RUAG Aerostructures is ready to begin serial production of payload suspension pylons for the Saab Gripen E/F, following final airworthiness test acceptance in late August.
This is the latest milestone in co-operation between RUAG and Saab on development and manufacture of the pylons, under a 2015 contract between the two companies that is worth more than CHF80 million.
Payload suspensions are devices designed to carry additional fuel tanks, reconnaissance systems or guided missiles. They are complex technological components with electronic and mechanical systems, RUAG noted in a 10 September announcement, and they must meet the highest requirements with regard to aerodynamics and load capacity.
More than 500 pylons (up to ten per aircraft, with RUAG manufacturing eight of them) will be built for Gripen E/Fs to be operated by the Brazilian and Swedish air forces.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
-
USSOCOM outlines acquisition priorities for FY2026
The service is seeking all-domain autonomous and counter-robotic solutions as well as deep sensing and assured access technologies.
-
Why SCAF and GCAP should seek common ground
Can international industrial collaboration to develop common technologies applicable to different future aircraft programmes – like GCAP or SCAF – prevail in the face of politics?
-
USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The US Air Force is assessing and identifying capability upgrades for the AEW&C aircraft, including the possible replacement of the E-7A’s MESA radar and electronic warfare self-protection system.
-
Italy boosts UAV fleet with Jump-20 procurement and ScanEagle additions
The Jump-20 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) procurement will replace Italy’s RQ-7 Shadow UAS fleet.