Swedish air force test pilots and Saab/British Aerospace engineers are to complete tests of upgraded flight control software that will take the performance of the JAS 39 Gripen "up to its original design goals" early next year.
Col Bjorn Johansson, Swedish air force Gripen chief test pilot, says tests also indicated improved spin characteristics that were "smooth, flat and slow. We also proved that the auto recovery from spins and low energy manoeuvres worked without pilot action."
While the performance of the software has been verified, final evaluations at the Linkoping flight test centre are due in December.
Source: Flight International