Saab and BAE Systems have formed a new company designed to focus on export sales of their Gripen fighter. Called Gripen International, the joint venture will be headed by managing director Ian McNamee, formerly boss of Thomson Maconi Sonar and owned in equal share by the two companies.
Source: Flight International
The troubled aerostructures manufacturer has become an important supplier of several key US defence programmes, including the air force’s new stealth bomber and the army’s next-generation tiltrotor.
With Boeing having delivered the first operational example of its latest F-15EX multi-role fighter, US Air Force pilots who previously flew the F-15C are beginning the process of transitioning to the new jet.
Airframer Boeing completed upgrades on two existing US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, bringing the carrier-capable jets up to the latest Block III standard.
