Skip to content Go to main navigation Go to language selector
Saab Global

The new improved Electronic Warfare system of Gripen E

2 min read

New engine, increased speed and larger weapon load - some of the more noticeable changes made within the Gripen E project. But one of the biggest changes lies inside the plane.

second_flight_gripen_20180424_2340.jpg

The Gripen E, ordered by Sweden and Brazil has several new features, including an increased range, and an under-carriage that has been moved to the wings, creating room for more fuel and weapon load. Also a stronger engine provides more power and better fuel efficiency at high speed. Those are the visible differences but under the “skin” there are new avionics, giving Gripen E one of the world's most advanced networked fighter systems.

electronic_warfare_20180434.jpg

Additionally, Gripen E has a new Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, a passive Infra-Red Search and Track sensor system making it difficult to detect, and an improved Electronic Warfare system for the disruption and detection of threats. All the systems are governed by a new avionics system, where functions that are flight-safety critical are separate from tactical ones.

The improved EW system in Gripen E, MFS-EW (Multi Functional System), is based on the EW product family called Arexis. Arexis is based on wideband digital technology specifically developed for robustness in the very complex signal environment of today. The core technologies in Arexis are ultra-wideband digital receivers and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) devices, gallium nitride (GaN) solid state active electronically scanned array (AESA) jammer transmitters and interferometric direction finding systems.

The Operational Signal environment for EW systems is becoming more and more complex. Systems developed 20 years ago are not able to handle all these signals, making it difficult to differentiate the threats signals from other signals. MFS-EW is made to handle the signal environment of today and in the future by using ultra wide band digital receivers, advanced signal processing and extensive processing capacity that can distinguish the real threat signals from others. The MFS EW is fully integrated with other tactical mission systems on board the aircraft, and there are also sensor fusion on several layers in the aircraft, combining all tactical sensors in Gripen E such as the AESA Radar, Electro optical sensors, IRST and also the datalink. These sources and sensors are integrated into one high level sensor fusion and situational awareness system for the pilot to enhance the effectiveness of the mission.