Gripen in Fying Display at the Breitling Air Show in Sion

The Breitling Sion air show taking place from September 16 to 18 will host a major additional highlight: The Swedish multirole fighter Gripen will fly in the Sion sky.

Gripen is a latest generation aircraft and one of the three contenders for the replacement of the F-5 Tiger of the Swiss Armed Forces. One of the Gripen aircraft will be on static display so that visitors to the show can get a closer look at the most modern fighter in operation today while the Gripen air display will be performed by Fredrik Müchler, Saabs designated display pilot for the past 13 years.

- We are really looking forward to participating with our Gripen aircraft at the Sion air show. This will be an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate to the Swiss authorities and Swiss public the real and proven qualities of the Gripen fighter says Richard Smith, Saabs Regional Director.

Gripen is in operational service with the Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

Gripen has also been deployed in the NATO-led Operation Unified Protector for the last five months.

Source: 13 September 2011, in News - www.saabgroup.com

Photo: Gripen flying display (SAAB Image: Frans Dely)


(16.09.2011)