Oct 11 Saab's Gripen E/F test aircraft made its debut in the Swiss alps during the annual Axalp flight demonstration by the Swiss A...
Oct 11
Saab's Gripen E/F test aircraft made its debut in the Swiss alps during the annual Axalp flight demonstration by the Swiss Air Force at Axalp-Ebenfluh shooting range.
Saab took the aircraft to Switzerland on invitation of Armasuisse, which is responsible for the acquisition process of a new fighter to replace the Swiss Air Force´s fleet of F-5 Tiger. The Swiss Government officially declared selection of Gripen as the replacement in last November.
Every year, the flight demonstration at the Axalp event attracts thousands of spectators that hike up the mountain for hours to reach the shooting range, which is situated at more than 2 000 meters above sea level. This year was no exception, it is estimated that approximately 7 000 people witnessed the event.
The Gripen E/F Test Aircraft was flown by a Swiss pilot in the front seat and with a Saab test pilot in the back seat.
- We have been flying with two Swiss pilots during a week for the Axalp event and the aircraft has performed excellently. We are now looking forward to continue the test flight programme in cooperation with Armasussie and the Swiss Air Force, says Richard Ljungberg, Chief Test Pilot at Saab.
Switzerland plans to buy 40-60 gripen fighters, to replace its ageing fleet of F-5 fighters
