| Mon 14 May 2001, 0:00 | | Avitronics awarded major contract in SAAB Gripen A |
|
PRETORIA - Avitronics (Pty) Ltd, a Grintek and SAAB owned company,
specialising in the design, development and support of Electronic Warfare
systems has been awarded a contract to supply the Communication Control and
Display Unit (CCDU) for eighty-four Saab-BAE Systems Gripen aircraft to be
delivered to the Swedish Airforce.
This is yet another example of the successful industrial co-operation,
following the Saab-BAE Systems Gripen order from South Africa.
Avitronics is not only a world force in the manufacturing of Electronic
Warfare equipment, but is also a supplier of customised Cockpit Display
Units.
The five-year contract value is currently estimated at R13,1 million, and
the first delivery is scheduled for July this year.
The Communication Control and Display Unit (CCDU) to be supplied for the
Gripen aircraft is a customised Cockpit Display Unit. The Display will be
used to provide set-up functions and control of the Communication system via
a MIL-STD-1553B Bus.
The Display, which will be installed in seventy single seat aircraft, and
fourteen dual seat aircraft has been put through rigorous testing and
comprehensive technical evaluations. The product has been tested against
environmental and physical elements, as well as against Electro Magnetic
Interference (EMI).
Commenting on the superior functionality, and sunlight readability of the
Avitronics product, managing director of Avitronics, Ben Ash said that the
flexibility to customise off-the-shelf equipment was a major factor in being
awarded the contract.
Ash believes that the contract is an endorsement of Avitronics products and
expertise in the international market.
ENDS
For more information contact
Mr Ben Ash
Managing Director
Avitronics
Tel: (012) 672 6002
Fax: (012) 672 6098
bash@grintek.com
Avitronics (Pty.) Ltd. is a joint venture owned by Grintek Limited (51%)
from South Africa and SAAB (49%) from Sweden. Avitronics is a leading
member of the South African Industry, specialising in the designing,
development and production of Electronic Warfare systems and associated
products for air, sea and land based applications.
Grintek Ltd is a contractor and supplier of electronics related products and
services to the telecommunications, defence, mining, avionics, air traffic
management, security and power utilities markets in South Africa and
selected export markets. The group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange and has a market capitalisation of around R600 million. Grintek
employs some 1300 people, a large percentage of whom are engineers and
technicians.
Saab is northern Europe's leading high technology company, mainly active in
the defence, aviation and space industry, and offers advanced products and
systems based on sophisticated information technology. Saab, together with
BAE Systems, manufactures, markets and supports Gripen, the world's first
operational fourth-generation swing-role fighter, which has been ordered by
the SA Air Force to meet its 21st century defence needs. Already in
operational service with the Swedish Air Force, which has ordered 204
aircraft including 28 fully operational two-seaters, Gripen will enter
service in South Africa in 2007.
