Next-Gen Gripens to feature AESA radar

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 16 (UPI) -- Swedish defense company Saab is to equip its Gripen Next Generation fighters with Active Electronically Scanned Array radar from Finmeccanica-Selex ES.

The contract for Selex's Raven was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in Britain. Its value, however, was not disclosed.

AESA radar provides an enhanced capability to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of potential targets, such as aircraft, ships, guided missiles and ground vehicles. The Raven AESA radar is now installed on Gripen demonstration aircraft.

Saab said it intends to soon sign contracts with the Italian company for its Skyward-G IRST, an infrared search and track passive sensor, and its identification-friend-or-Foe system soon. "A NATO-interoperable, multi-role fighter designed for the future network-centric warfare environment, Gripen NG will provide superior situation awareness thanks to a number of Selex ES products," Saab said.

"In addition to the Raven ES AESA radar, the company will also provide the Skyward-G IRST passive sensor and IFF system, both of which will be contracted for in the next few months."

Current Gripen fighters are in service in Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, Czech Republic and Thailand.