Energy News  
Gripen Conducts High Altitude Firing With Meteor

The Gripen combat aircraft.
by Staff Writers
London UK (SPX) May 28, 2007
Yet another important milestone was reached today when Gripen successfully conducted the first Meteor firing in the UK and continued the testing of the six-nation Meteor air dominance missile. "Gripen is the first and so far only fighter aircraft that has launched Meteor. With today's firing Gripen once again proves to be a reliable platform for the integration and testing of complex future missile systems for the world's new generation combat aircraft", says Lennart Sindahl, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Saab Aerosystems.

At the same time as being an important achievement for Saab and Gripen, the firing also marks a significant milestone in the European multinational Meteor air-to-air missile project. The purpose of today's High Altitude Control and Dispersion (C and D) firing was to test the performance of the missile's integrated boost, ramjet sustain motor and control systems during high altitude supersonic launch, extended free flight and extensive manoeuvres.

"Meteor was rail-launched from Gripen flying supersonic at an altitude of 42,650ft. The missile followed a pre-programmed flight profile for several minutes and was then broken up in flight as intended", says Magnus Ljungdahl, Gripen Test Pilot at Saab.

Today's firing with Meteor at the UK's Hebrides missile firing range follows a series of lower altitude Air Launched Demonstrator firings in 2006 and seeker data gathering trials in early 2007. Saab will continue the firing and radar tests with the missile up until 2010 in Vidsel in Sweden, the Hebrides in Scotland and at Aberporth in Wales.

Email This Article

Related Links
Saab Aerosystems
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com

New Raytheon-Built Joint Standoff Weapon Will Hit Moving Maritime Targets
Tucson AZ (SPX) May 28, 2007
Raytheon has received a $93.7 million Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contract to develop the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-154C1 (formerly JSOW Block III). The new JSOW variant scheduled to be produced in 2009 will provide U.S. Navy warfighters with a capability against moving maritime targets.







  • Japan Proposes Halving Emissions By 2050
  • New Fabrication Technique Yields Nanoscale UV LEDs
  • California Eco-Homes Offer Glimpse Of Lunar Future
  • Indian Businessman Capitalizes On Global Warming Concerns

  • Australian Aborigines Agree To Nuclear Waste Dump
  • Czech Government Extends Life Of Threatened Uranium Mine
  • Britain Launches Energy Blueprint, Stresses Importance Of Nuclear
  • Revamped, Renewed, Restarted: High Flux Isotope Reactor Back On Line

  • AIRS Global Map Of Carbon Dioxide From Space
  • Widespread Twilight Zone Detected Around Clouds
  • Rand Says Further Study Warranted On Save The World Air Technology
  • Noxious Lightning

  • Uganda Shelves Plan To Convert Rainforest
  • Indonesia's Crackdown On Illegal Logging Under Fire
  • Brazil Demonstrating That Reducing Tropical Deforestation Is Key WinWin Global Warming Solution
  • Global Scientists Urge Canada To Save Boreal Forest

  • Top Chef Warns Of Environmental Impact Of Fine Dining
  • Climate Change Threatens Wild Relatives Of Key Crops
  • Journal Details How Global Warming Will Affect The World's Fisheries
  • Spud Origin Controversy Solved

  • Toyota To Launch 100-Percent Ethanol-Powered Cars In Brazil
  • Toyota Launches New Luxury Hybrid
  • The Driving Force Behind Electric Vehicles
  • Radical Engine Redesign Would Reduce Pollution And Oil Consumption

  • Australia Fears Jet Flight Guilt Could Hit Tourism
  • Nondestructive Testing Keeps Bagram Aircraft Flying
  • New FAA Oceanic Air Traffic System Designed By Lockheed Martin Fully Operational
  • NASA Seeks New Research Proposals

  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear
  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement