Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration for a helmet mounted display system for the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen E fighter aircraft, the company announced on 7 November.

The helmet system, called Targo, will be manufactured and supplied by Brazilian company AEL Sistemas (AEL), with deliveries scheduled to take place between 2022 and 2026.

Targo gives pilots the ability to better locate, track, identify and engage air and ground targets, with advanced situational awareness and easier engagement options. A helmet mounted visor displays flight information such as altitude and air speed, as well as cueing targets and supplying supporting tracking data to the pilot.

Hans Einerth, Wing Commander Flying at Saab, said: ‘By aiming the head rather than the entire aircraft at the target, I can rapidly lock sensors and missiles on to the target and thus use the full performance of the missile. 

‘This makes it possible to shoot the missile instantaneously after target detection and identification, with eyes on target constantly. The system can also designate targets for the pilot leading to a faster assessment of the tactical situation.’

HMD-systems are already operational with the current Swedish Air Force Gripen fleet, and has also been ordered by Brazil for the Brazilian Air Force Gripen NG fighters.

AEL is a supplier for the Gripen NG in Brazil and a partner in the technology transfer programme as part of the F-X2 programme. AEL will, in addition to delivering the HMD system, also provide the wide area display and the head-up display for Brazil’s Gripen NG.