(May 22) Selex Galileo, an Italian hi-tech subsidiary of Finmeccanica, will deliver soon a new version of its Raven ES-05 AESA radar, which is conceived to equip the Saab Gripen fighter aircraft. According to officials, the radar, currently in the final stages of testing at the Finmeccanica company’s Edinburgh site in Scotland, will be displayed along with the Gripen at July’s Farnborough air show. The upgraded aircraft is going to be used as a prototype for the next generation of Gripen fighters. The Gripen is a lightweight single-engine multi-role fighter which entered service in 1997. “We will begin developmental test flights after Farnborough”, says Bob Mason, Selex Galileo’s senior vice-president marketing and sales. He also added the radar developer has a strong business case linked to the Raven. As a consequence, Selex Galileo is ready to supply AESA radar for any Gripen Saab will sell worldwide. (Red)
