Gripen fighter aircraft exceeds 130 000 flight hours 

09:25 GMT, November 30, 2009 The Gripen fleet has now flown more than 130 000 hours. Gripen is in operational service in the Czech, Hungarian, South African and Swedish Air Forces and is also flown by the Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS).

The Swedish Air Force is the largest operator of Gripen and their first Gripen Squadron was declared operational in 1997. The Czech Air Force took deliveries of their Gripen C/D in 2005, followed by the Hungarian Air Force in 2006. Deliveries to the South African Air Force began in 2008 and are ongoing.

Included in the total number of flight hours is also the test flights made by the Saab Flight Test Department in Linköping, Sweden. Gripen C/D is being developed continuously with new equipment and software and the Gripen NG Demonstrator is also being test flown.


First Gripen C passes 1 000 hours

The Swedish Air Force took Gripen C/D in service in 2005. Gripen number 39210 became the first Gripen C to pass 1000 flight hours, which happened earlier this month. The aircraft is being operated by the F 17 Wing in Ronneby and is maintained by the 171st Aircraft Maintenance Company. 
 

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Country: Germany Type: Industry & Suppliers Status: premium
Company or Organisation Portrait:
Gripen International is the Swedish company which acts as a prime contracting organization, responsible for marketing, selling and supporting the Gripen fighter worldwide.

Gripen International combines the strength of its international industrial partners, which are among the world's most experienced and respected manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment.

The Gripen International team is committed to establishing long-term industrial partnerships with all Gripen customers. These relationships, which have the ability to generate jobs and long-term growth through inward investment, export promotion and technology transfer among others, cover a wide spectrum of industry and are not limited to the defence and aerospace business sectors.

Gripen International’s headquarters are in Linköping, Sweden. The company also has offices or representation throughout the world including Washington, Johannesburg, Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Sofia, Copenhagen, Oslo and New Delhi.
 
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