AARHUS, Denmark, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Danish company Terma has won a $9.5 million contract to upgrade the Reconnaissance Pod System for Sweden's Gripen fighter aircraft.
The contract for the design and production of the upgrade was awarded by Saab, Terma said.
Under the contract, Terma will deliver to Saab software and components for the upgrade to secure full day and night operability for the tactical surveillance system.
The Saab upgrade program for the Gripen includes design, production and installation of new software for the management of pod sensors, structural modification of the pod lay out, and improved functioning of the Power Distribution Unit and wiring harnesses.
The first upgraded pods will be delivered in late 2011 followed by a test phase and delivery of the remaining pods.
Gripen is a new generation fighter aircraft for air-to-air and air-to-surface operational missions, including reconnaissance. Gripen is in service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian and South African air forces and also has been ordered by Thailand.
