STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Sweden's Defense Material Administration has conducted a safe-separation firing of a Meteor missile from a Saab Gripen fighter under its missile integration project.
The purpose of the test was to verify the model on separation of the missile from the aircraft and also the impact of the missile exhaust plume on the plane's engine.
The agency said initial evaluation showed the missile separated from the inboard pylon station in a normal manner and the data-link between the missile and the aircraft was activated. Temperature data from the aircraft engine were also monitored. The missile's flight was terminated as planned at a predetermined position.
"Saab, together with the (administration) Test & Evaluation Department, accomplished the campaign very successfully. Saab evaluates and analyzes the data gathered from the test firing together with the supplier," said Michael Ostergren, the project manager at the agency. "The results from the analysis will feed into the integration program."
With this firing the first of two phases in the Swedish integration program is completed. The first phase was designed to support the development of the missile, while the second phase was designed to fully integrate the missile for the JAS 39 Gripen.
The final integration with Gripen has recently begun and is expected to be finalized during 2013.
