(VIDEO) Swedish Gripen Fighter Jets Train Using Remote Highways for Takeoff and Landing
(VIDEO) The military alliance, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), has released video footage and images of the Gripen fighter jets landing on remote highways in Sweden during a recent exercise, just a few months after its admission into the alliance.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Recently, during a military exercise in Gothenburg, Sweden, highways were utilized as makeshift runways for the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen fighter jets to take off and land.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has released videos and images showcasing the Gripen fighters landing on these rural roadways in Sweden.
Swedish Gripen pilots practiced landing on highways to enhance their capabilities and flexibility in responding to emergencies or conflicts.
The Gripen is the primary fighter aircraft of the Swedish Air Force, now equipped with an enhanced landing system that is elevated above the road surface to prevent foreign objects from being sucked into the engines.
In scenarios where air bases, airports, and runways are damaged or unusable, the Gripen aircraft can land on specially modified roadways that accommodate combat aircraft landings.
While operating from these modified roadways, the Gripen fighters can utilize mobile Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARP), refueling the aircraft before it takes off again.
In March, Sweden became the 32nd member of NATO, completing the process to join the military alliance.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that it was a historic moment as Sweden took its place within the alliance, contributing to shaping NATO’s policies and decisions.
Just days after joining NATO, the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen jets also participated in monitoring the airspace over the Baltic Sea alongside fighter jets from Germany and Belgium.
NATO stated in a press release that this was a demonstration of the Swedish Air Force’s integration with other forces within NATO and its interoperability in safeguarding NATO’s interests in the Baltic Sea.
The JAS 39 Gripen is a single-engine multirole fighter manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab.
It was designed to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force.
Gripen is a new generation, multi-role fighter aircraft which uses state-of-the-art technology.
It is capable of performing an extensive range of Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface and reconnaissance missions employing the most modern range of weapons.
Gripen is designed to meet the demands of current and future threats, while at the same time meeting strict requirements for flight safety, reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs.
The Gripen fighter is in service with a number of air forces: Swedish, Czech Republic and Hungarian Air Forces and has also been ordered by the South African Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force. — DSA
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