With the successful completion of the airworthiness review of the first production pylon for the Saab Gripen E/F, RUAG can now start series production of 500 payload mounts.
The pylons will be used in aircraft of the Swedish and Brazilian air forces. According to RUAG, the total order, which was signed at the end of 2015, is worth around 75 million euros. Payload suspensions are devices designed to carry additional tanks for fuel, reconnaissance systems or guided weapons. They are complex technological components that contain both electronic and mechanical systems. In terms of aerodynamics and load-bearing capacity, they must meet the highest requirements. Up to ten pylons can be attached to the Gripen E. A large proportion of the individual parts for the four pylon types are manufactured in Emmen itself, including surface treatment and crack testing. After final assembly and comprehensive functional tests, the assemblies are delivered to the end customer in Sweden. Pylon 1, which sits at the end of each wing, is produced by Saab itself. Dirk Prehn, Executive Vice President of RUAG Aerostructures, is delighted: “With the successful acceptance of the first series-produced pylon, we have reached an important milestone. It also marks a long-standing, successful partnership between two leading companies in the aerospace sector.” Hans Häggrot, Head of Airframe Development at Saab Business Aera Aeronautics, says: “Over the past six years, we have worked very successfully with RUAG Aerostructures on the development and manufacture of the pylons. The payload mounts on the Gripen E/F are a key part of the new aircraft’s broad operational capability.”
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