Gripen Team Studies 'Sea Gripen'

The Gripen export team of Saab-BAE Systems has extended its existing studies to a navalized version of the advanced combat aircraft at the request of a potential buyer. Sources close to the program described the interest as coming from "a potential customer with an existing carrier force and current V/STOL aircraft." Other sources close to the customer say it's India.

Some serious thought has already been given to developing a carrier-borne version of the Gripen, which has several inherent characteristics that make it well suited to operations at sea. Gripen is designed to use very short runways, and routinely lands using the high sink rates and angles of attack demanded for carrier flying. Any future Sea Gripen would incorporate the air-to-air refueling capability already being developed for all export Gripens. Other changes would include addition of an arrestor hook and some strengthening of the existing undercarriage. Gripen's autonomous landing system could also be modified for maritime use. A Gripen armed with Rbs 15 anti-shipping missiles would give a maritime strike capability that is unmatched by any existing carrier-borne fighter.