Swedish Saab has unveiled an Aggressor variant of the Gripen multi-role fighter jet for the first time at DSEI 2017, London, UK.
Based on the Gripen C variant, the Gripen Aggressor is intended for the adversary air combat training market, with its unique mix of high performance, mission flexibility and availability combined with a low life cycle cost.
An aggressor, or adversary, aircraft, is used to act as an opposing force in advanced military combat training. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to provide a realistic environment for the fighter pilots to train against.
There is a growing segment within the adversary air combat training market for highly advanced aggressor capabilities to be able to perform realistic combat training. Gripen Aggressor provides an exceptional, dissimilar opponent aircraft system against which pilots will sharpen and refine their combat skills so as to fight and win against an advanced enemy threat.
To “Train as you Fight”, air forces need a modern, advanced and affordable aggressor that replicates accurate threats. #gripenaggressor pic.twitter.com/RnMdJrMKS8— Saab AB (@Saab) September 12, 2017
Saab sees potential for the platform as a high-level aggressor option within both the United States Air Force’s Adversary Air (ADAIR) and UK MOD’s Air Support to Defence Operational Training (ASDOT) requirements.
The aircraft has been customised for the aggressor role. It has all the renowned handling and flight characteristics associated with the Gripen C and its advanced sensor and datalink capabilities, but will not carry live armament.
