Although the Gripen has been in service for only a short time, development of the aircraft and its operational systems continues. As well as wishing to keep it abreast of the latest technology improvements, there are two other drivers. The first is to make the Gripen and its equipment NATO-compatible; the second is to introduce equipment changes that will make it more attractive to export customers. These objectives are mutually compatible.
To pilots, perhaps the most obvious change is that all the labels and soft keys will be changed to English text, the voice warning will be in English and the flight instrument calibration will change from metric to imperial units. The cockpit will also become compatible with night vision goggles and the monochrome green displays will be enlarged and become full colour. Electromechanical standby instruments will be discarded.
The internal operational equipment will be retained, but the software for the navigational systems will be amended to suit worldwide operations. Other equipment such as a forward-looking infrared search and track system, a helmet-mounted sight, NATO identification friend or foe and dual radio operation will be added. The oxygen system will be upgraded to an onboard generating system, drawing air from the engine compressor.
A retractable refuelling probe will be installed in the top of the port engine air intake, the first time a Swedish air force aircraft will be equipped for air-to-air refuelling. Externally the aircraft will receive NATO standard pylons and will be cleared to carry a laser designator pod as well as a wide variety of weapons.
All these changes will be incorporated into the aircraft of the third production batch, due for delivery in 2004, and most will be retrofitted to Swedish Gripens.
Source: Flight International