Saab starts serial production of countermeasures dispenser system for F-18 Hornet

Saab starts serial production of the BOL countermeasures dispenser system for yet another platform; the Royal Australian Air Force's F-18 Hornet. The order is worth approximately 69 million SEK (10.8 million USD). In 2004, Saab received an order for the test, trial and integration of the BOL countermeasures dispenser system for the Royal Australian Air Force's F-18 Hornet. That contract has now led to an order for serial production for the same customer. The contract also includes ground support equipment, documentation and integrated logistics support. Hardware deliveries will start during the third quarter of 2009.

"Establishing BOL on yet another platform proves that it is a cost effective and competitive countermeasures dispenser system for combat aircraft," says Björn Erman, business unit manager for Saab Avitronics.

Saab's BOL is an electronic warfare, self protection system for the dispensing of decoys with the purpose of misleading missiles. The BOL is currently in operational service on US Air Force/Air National Guard's F-15 Eagle, UK's Harrier GR7, UK's Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon and the Swedish Gripen aircraft.