Gripen NG's edge

In the past, Gripen embraced technologies that designers modified to\nfit specific needs - as was the case with the General Electric F404\nengine that Volvo turned into the fighter's RM12 powerplant. For the\nGripen NG, Saab went directly to GE and asked for an F414, the latest\nversion of the F/A-18E/F's engine with minimal changes. The F414G\nfeatures some adjustments to the full-authority digital engine control\nand power supply, largely because Gripen is a single-engine fighter\n(whereas the F/A-18E/F has two engines). This seemingly innocuous\nchange allows Saab to reduce engine costs 20%, even though the F414 is\na higher thrust engine with a greater sticker price than the F404.

This design approach permeates the Gripen NG, says Kemp. Suppliers\nsuch as Honeywell and Rockwell were asked to provide their latest\nproduct and let Saab worry about integrating them, rather than devising\ntailor-made derivatives for the Gripen NG. To keep costs low, the NG\nmay embrace the same pilot helmet used on the F-35.