Aircraft

MISSILE - Saab conducted the first test firing of a Diehl BGT Defence IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile from a Gripen fighter over Sweden's Vidsel test range on 12 June, during the 6,000th test flight of a JAS39 aircraft.

Involving weapon release from an altitude of around 2,000ft (610m), the unguided test was "a complete success", says Saab test pilot Fredrik Muchler.

Saab will perform another release test and two guided firings at Vidsel later this year, including two against target drones. The IRIS-T will replace Sweden's Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder inventory.