Saab is considering a plan to develop an unmanned version of its next-generation JAS Gripen-E multirole fighter, Saab officials said.The company officials has sets its sights on winning a series of medium-size international orders for about 300 manned Gripen-Es in the next 20 years.
“We expect to produce a large number of unmanned aircraft in the future. However, the military cannot afford dual systems [of both unmanned and regular aircraft],” Saab CEO Håkan Buskhe told reporters. “This is about finding cost-effective solutions to enable decisions regarding whether a plane will fly with or without a pilot on various missions. These present significant opportunities to develop the Gripen in the future.”
Saab is also confident it can find lucrative export markets for its Skeldar V-200 land and marine unmanned aerial system.
Buskhe said Saab remains confident that Switzerland will ratify the purchase of 22 Gripen-E aircraft, despite opposition to the project among a number of political parties in that country.
Source: Defense World
A further version, designated Gripen JAS 39 E/F, is under development as of 2014: http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/gripen-e-multirole-fighter-aircraft/