Sweden Contracts Saab, GKN Aerospace For Future Fighter Studies
The Swedish government has awarded contracts to Saab and GKN Aerospace for conceptual studies of a future fighter aircraft system for Sweden.
Saab’s contract runs from 2024 to 2025, with the scope of the contract including conceptual studies of manned and unmanned solutions in a system of system perspective, technology development and demonstrations.
As part of these studies, Saab will collaborate with the Swedish military procurement agency FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces, and the Swedish Defence Research Agency, The company will also explore “innovation platforms” such as the Swedish Government’s Defense Innovation Initiative and NATO’s Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.
According to Saab, the concept studies to be conducted under the contract will take place in parallel with Saab’s upgrade efforts for the Gripen C/D and the entrance of the Gripen E in Swedish and Brazilian service.
“Saab is in a strong position, and having recently developed Gripen E and GlobalEye we have the advanced technology and engineering know-how to take the future fighter concept forward. This means we will continue delivering innovative solutions to meet the future operational needs of the Swedish Armed Forces and other customers, ” says Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s business area Aeronautics.
The contract awarded to GKN Aerospace also runs from 2024 to 2025, with the company adding that there is potential for a follow-on phase. Under the contract, GKN Aerospace is tasked with “conceptual studies of power and propulsion systems for the next-generation of combat air capabilities, based on exploring both existing and future technology and performing demonstrations”.
Additionally, GKN Aerospace has entered a new cooperation agreement with Saab for future developmental efforts across “a range of areas”, including next-generation fighter systems.
“GKN Aerospace is a world-leader in engine systems and a design partner for the world’s most successful commercial engines. We are also the OEM capability for the JAS 39 Gripen C/D RM12 engines worldwide and are continuing to establish the product support capability for the RM16 engine, powering the JAS 39 Gripen E. This contract will enable us to further strengthen our capability and support our customers with necessary data for future combat air capabilities,” said Stefan Oscarsson, Vice President Governmental Solutions at GKN Aerospace.
A Swedish official speaking at the November 2023 International Fighter Conference disclosed that Sweden had chosen not to join the United Kingdom-Italy-Japan partnership for the Global Combat Air Programme, after previously partnering with the UK and Italy on the predecessor Tempest program.