Saab's maiden flight with Gripen Demo

Saab's maiden flight with Gripen Demo

Today at 10.55 - 11.25 Saab conducted the maiden flight with the Gripen Demo,
the test bed for the further development of Gripen. The flight lasted for 30
minutes and went totally according to plan.

“We're flying what in many aspects is a completely new aircraft a month after
Roll-Out. This is quite unique and it shows Gripen's opportunities for further
development. It also shows our own ability to develop new, more efficient
working methods.” says Lars-Erik Svedlund, Saab's project manager for the Gripen
demonstrator programme.

Since the Gripen Demo was presented, the programme has proceeded with ground
trials and continual evaluations in order to guarantee flight safety. Tuesday's
flight took place in good weather from Saab's airfield in Linköping and was
conducted according to a well-rehearsed schedule. 

“Everything went according to plan. The Gripen Demo is more powerful compared to
earlier versions of Gripen but is just as easily flown. We look forward to
continuing the test programme at the same high pace as up to now.” says test
pilot Mikael Seidl, who together with his colleague Magnus Ljungdahl crewed the
first flight.

The Gripen Demo is a flying test bed for the next generation of Gripen and for
the further development of present versions. The aircraft has a new, more
powerful engine and a new radar. Gripen will be able to carry heavier loads and
has a longer range. 

The Gripen test bed is realized in partnership with several of the world's
leading companies within the aviation industry: General Electric, Thales,
Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, APPH, Terma, Martin-Baker and Meggitt. 

More information about the Gripen demonstrator programme as well as still
pictures and video from the maiden flight will shortly be available at 
www.saabgroup.com and www.gripen.com. 

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and
solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations
and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new
technology to meet customers' changing needs.

For further information, please contact:
Toni Eriksson, Acting Press secretary, Saab AB
Telephone: +46 (0)734-18 00 18

www.saabgroup.com

The information is that which Saab AB is required to declare by the Securities
Business Act and/or the Financial instruments Trading Act. The information was
submitted for publication on May 27 at 11.50.