Gripen air-to-air refueling program: on track and ready for airborne trials

On mid-June 2004 a Gripen C flew for the first time with its retractable probe fully extended. This flight is part of the test and evaluation program to verify Gripen's air-to-air refueling capability. The test follows on from the flight tests conducted in the UK in 1998, when a Gripen aircraft fitted with a ‘mock-up' probe conducted initial ‘dry' in-flight connections with a UK Royal Air Force VC10 tanker.

As part of the verification of the air-to-air refueling capability of a NATO compatible Gripen, a ground connection test was also successfully undertaken between the Gripen, its air-to-air refueling probe and a Swedish Air Force (SwAF) C-130 converted tanker aircraft (TP84) on 6 May at the F7, Såtenäs airbase. The test was undertaken by SAAB and SwAF technicians, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin Air Mobility Support (AMS), who are working with the SwAF on the TP84 aircraft. In the near future AMS will be preparing for the final phase of tanker modifications that are expected to be completed this summer.

The successful connection tests will, later this summer, be followed by the final phase of the tanker modifications. This will in turn be followed by dry in-flight live connection trials between the Gripen and the SwAF TP84 tanker and then by airborne fuel flow tests.
All Gripen C/Ds are fitted with probes and will have full air-to-air refueling capability. Confirmation of Gripen's air-air refueling capability will include flight-testing, with and without tanker, to verify parameters such as pressures, fuel flows, handling qualities of the aircraft and safety requirements. Testing will be conducted in accordance with applicable NATO air-to-air refueling standards.