www.gknaerospace.com GKN Aerospace has signed a follow-on Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract with the Swedish Armed Forces for ‘the provision of comprehensive support’ for the GKN Aerospace RM12 engine that powers the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter.

This contract follows a series of multi-year RM12 PBL agreements and is expected to be worth around $440 million.

Under the agreement, GKN Aerospace will continue its support for the day-to-day operations of JAS 39 Gripen C/D users, ensuring “engine availability for every Swedish Air Force mission”, as well as for Gripen C/D export customers (the Czech Republic, Hungary and Thailand).

This will include the provision of technical support as well as comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul — including repair development and spare parts supply.

Joakim Andersson, president of GKN Aerospace Engines, said: “We are totally committed to ensuring RM12 engine availability and its secure and safe performance in all operations. At the same time GKN Aerospace closely monitors every aspect of product life cycle cost effectiveness.”

The GKN Aerospace RM12 engine has powered the JAS 39 Gripen throughout the 310,000 flight hours it has already achieved.

It is based on the General Electric F404 engine from which it has been developed to include single-engine safety criteria, higher performance and greater durability.

The primary focus of the development programme for the RM12 engine was to deliver the highest possible operational effectiveness with the most favourable life-cycle cost.

In January this year, FMV selected GKN Aerospace to be the product support and MRO provider for the RM16, the engine for Gripen E, with the aim of using synergies between the RM12 and the RM16 as much as possible.