EADS aims high to outbid SAAB for Swiss fighter contract
by The Canadian Press with files from CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
The Gripen is powered by a Volvo Aero Corporation RM12 turbofan engine, which weighs 2325 lbs and has a maximum afterburner thrust of 80.5 kN/18100 lb.
GENEVA—European aerospace giant EADS says it could sell 33 secondhand Eurofighter jets to Switzerland.
The deal could trump an offer by Sweden’s Saab AB for 22 new Gripen planes to update the aging Swiss fleet.
EADS’ defence unit Cassidian says the Eurofighter jets are currently being flown by Germany’s Luftwaffe and would cost the same as Saab’s Gripen.
The Gripen is powered by a Volvo Aero Corporation RM12 turbofan engine, which weighs 2325 lbs and has a maximum afterburner thrust of 80.5 kN/18100 lb.
It features a fully integrated avionic mission system operating on five 1553B digital data bus highways.
Switzerland announced last year it would order 22 next-generation Gripen fighters from the Swedish aerospace company at a cost of 3.1 billion francs ($3.4 billion).
Cassidian spokesman Claas Belling said Switzerland has yet to request an official offer from EADS.
The Swiss government has been criticized by lawmakers for choosing Gripen fighters over Rafale jets made by France’s Dassault Aviation or new Eurofighter planes.
