Jay Clemens
Exelis has inked a deal with Saab to develop and supply pneumatic missile eject launcher pylons for installation in Saab’s fighter aircraft.
The launcher will work to eject the Meteor and AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile from the fuselage underside of Saab’s Gripen E jet, Exelis said Tuesday.
Exelis will produce an initial batch of 214 PMELs and perform work at its facility in Brighton, England.
“This is a great opportunity for us to build on Exelis weapon carriage and release experience and continue to grow in the air-to-air missile eject market,†said Ken Harrison, Exelis vice president and general manager of international night vision and communications services.
The agreement covers the entire operational life of the Gripen E and contains follow-on and upgrade tasks for the system.
