Und wenn sie für Länder wie Südafrika, Brasilien oder Ungarn reicht, die vergleichbar (Ungarn) oder wesentlich größer sind, dann hätte Österreich vermutlich auch damit leben können.
Anbei auch die offizielle Pressemitteilung:
gripen.com wrote:14 November 2005
South African Gripen makes its maiden flight
The first South African dual seat Gripen took to the skies on its maiden flight in Sweden on Friday 11 November 2005. Painted in South African Air Force grey livery, the aircraft took off at 13.40 from Saab’s Flight Test Centre in Linköping, Sweden. The flight lasted 1 hr 10 min.
South African test pilot Charl Coetzee and Saab test pilot Magnus Olsson were at the controls for the first flight of South Africa’s future multi-/swing-role fighter.
During the flight, the test team were able to validate the basic flight control systems, engine, hydraulics and electrics.
“The flight went better than expected and we were able to demonstrate some additional functionalities,” explained Charl Coetzee.
“The maiden flight of South Africa’s first Gripen is an important milestone which has been achieved earlier than scheduled. This is indicative of the maturity of the Gripen design and the dedicated approach taken by joint Swedish-South African teams to keep the program on track for customer deliveries commencing in March 2008,” remarked Jerker Ahlqvist, Program Director, South Africa.
This aircraft will now undergo a thorough inspection and systems computer interrogation before being prepared for subsequent flight tests commencing later this month. It will be transferred to South Africa in August 2006, where it will participate in a flight development program focused on the integration of South Africa’s customized avionics and weapons systems.
Originalartikel zu finden unter: http://www.gripen.com/articles/5.86359107460425368000547.html