GKN Aerospace delivers first upgraded Gripen engine to Swedish Armed Forces

GKN Aerospace delivered its first upgraded RM12EP powerplant for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D combat aircraft to the Swedish Armed Forces on 24 March. (GKN Aerospace)

GKN Aerospace has delivered its first upgraded RM12 powerplant for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D combat aircraft to the Swedish Armed Forces.

Announced by the UK-headquartered company on 24 March, the handover of the first RM12 Enhanced Performance (EP) was a milestone in the upgrade programme that was launched in 2019.

“This first upgraded engine delivery represents an important step forward in enhancing the performance and endurance of the Gripen system,” Stefan Oscarsson Vice President Governmental Solutions at GKN Aerospace said.

GKN Aerospace holds the type certificate for the General Electric (GE) F404 turbofan-derived Volvo Aero RM12 engine in the Gripen C/D, and was contracted by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in October 2023 to implement the RM12EP upgrade in co-operation with the FMV, Saab, and GE.

As noted at the time of the contract award, the RM12EP programme is intended to deliver greater performance and lower life-cycle costs for the Gripen C/D.

For more, please see:Sweden contracts Saab, GKN to chart next-generation fighter development