Libya: Gripen's Recce Efforts

Swedish air force Gripens may not be dropping bombs as part of the country's missions to support the U.N. Resolution 1973 enforcement action, but the aircraft are doing more than just burning up fuel in rather uneventful no-fly-zone patrolling missions.

The Gripens are being used for reconnaissance, as demonstrated by this photo released by the Swedish military (note: the resolution has apparently been degraded).

The Gripens are operating from the Sigonella air base. 

(Photos: Swedish air force)

Meanwhile, the South African air force, another Gripen user, reports it is due to receive its reconnaissance pod for the single-engine fighter this year as it continues to expand the capability set of the aircraft. That milestone is to be reached in October, Brig. Gen. John Bayne, the RSAF's director of combat systems said during last week's LAAD conference in Brazil.

The RSAF will field a helmet-mounted cueing capability on Gripen during the summer.