Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters will be equipped with the latest version of Saab’s helmet mounted display (HMD) system, in a new SEK 345 million ($US 54 million) deal between FMV, Sweden’s Defence Material Administration, and Saab.

The Cobra HMD is a key element of Gripen’s advanced systems fit and has already been ordered by the South African Air Force. The agreement will enable the HMD system to be integrated into Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters and be delivered to Sweden progressively.

The HMD displays data directly onto the helmet visor, allowing the Gripen pilot to stay ‘heads-up’ at crucial points in the mission. The Cobra is a binocular system that displays both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons symbology, as well as basic flight data.

Saab’s experience with HMD’s dates back nearly 10 years and thousands of hours have been poured into system development and symbology evolution. The helmet and display system have been developed by BAE Systems, the mask by G4, the helmet tracking system by Denel Optronics of South Africa and the display symbology by Saab.

The HMD system has been tested on the Gripen since 2005 and is available as an option on the export version of Gripen.