Saab Group

Saab Group (originally SAAB, later Saab AB) is a Swedish aerospace and defence company, founded in 1937. From 1947 to 1990 it was the parent company of automobile manufacturer Saab Automobile. Between 1968 and 1995 the company was in a merger with commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania-Vabis, known as Saab-Scania.

History
"Svenska Aeroplan AB (aktiebolag)" (Swedish for "Swedish Aeroplane Company Limited") (SAAB) was founded in 1937 in Trollhättan, with the merger of Svenska Aero AB (SAAB) and Linköping based ASJA the headquarters moved to Linköping. The style "Saab" replaced "SAAB" around 1950.

Originally manufacturing aircraft, the company sought ways in which to diversify its business. In the late 1940s the company began manufacturing cars at its Saab Automobile division was based in Trollhättan. The first car was the Saab 92; full-scale production started December 12, 1949, based on the prototype Ursaab.

In the late 1950s Saab ventured into the computer market with Datasaab. The company was a result partly of the need to make a computer that would be small enough to mount in an aeroplane as navigational equipment. During the 1960s several computers were developed and sold to European countries, for uses such as banking. The aircraft computer (CK 37) was used in 1971 in the Viggen. The company was sold in 1975 to Sperry UNIVAC, while Saab retained its flight computer development.

In May 1965, the company name was changed to Saab AB to reflect its broad range of activities.

In 1968 Saab AB merged with the Swedish lorry, bus and heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturer Scania-Vabis, and became Saab-Scania AB.

In 1990 General Motors bought 51 percent of the car division Saab Automobile, and acquired the rest a decade later.

In 1991 Investor AB completed leveraged buyout of Saab-Scania AB. Investor AB acquired all the outstanding shares in Saab-Scania for approximately SEK 21 billion., ,. Saab-Scania became a wholly owned subsidiary of Investor AB and the company was de-listed.

In 1995 Saab-Scania was divided by Investor AB into two independent companies, de-merging into Scania AB and Saab AB. The intention by Investor AB was to broaden ownership in the two companies later. Following the sale of 50% of the car division Saab Automobile AB to General Motors, the main reason behind the merger with lorry manufacturer Scania-Vabis in 1968 had disappeared.

Saab Military Aircraft and British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) formed in 1995 the joint venture company Saab-BAe Gripen AB, to manufacture, market and support Gripen internationally. This co-operation was extended in 2001 with the formation of Gripen International for the same purpose.

From 1998 until 2005 the largest shareholder in Saab was the British aerospace company BAE Systems, following its acquisition of a 35% stake from Investor AB by its predecessor, British Aerospace. In January 2005, BAE Systems reduced its shareholding to 20%. Investor AB maintained a 20% share.

In December 2005 Saab joined the Dassault nEUROn project as a major partner.

In October 2008 the company announced its intention to merge its operations with that of Simrad Optronics. The new unit will develop high-tech optronics products and will be headquartered in Norway, although other details of the new arrangement have not been finalized.

In 2010 the company restructured from fifteen business units into five business areas; Aeronautics, Dynamics, Electronic Defence Systems, Security and Defence Solutions, and Support and Services. According to Saab the restructuring was undertaken to become more market and customer oriented.

In March 2010, BAE Systems sold half of its 20% stake in the company to Investor AB, which then became the major shareholder. In June 2011, the British company eventually sold its remaining stake bringing its 16 year involvement in Saab to an end.

As of June 2012, Investor AB owns a 30% stake in the company (39.5% of the voting rights) and is the majority owner.

Aircraft production
The main focus of aircraft production is fighter aircraft. Saab has been making aircraft since the 1930s, and the jet predecessors of the JAS 39 Gripen were the Tunnan, the Lansen, the Draken and the Viggen. The last civilian models made by Saab were the Saab 340 and Saab 2000. Both were mid-range turboprop-powered passenger planes. The development and the manufacturing of these aircraft takes place in Linköping.

Aeronautics


Aeronautics offers airborne systems, related subsystems, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and aerostructures. The business area Aeronautics is responsible for airframe structures for JAS 39 Gripen, and whole sections for Airbus, Boeing and NH90.

System development of the JAS 39 Gripen and the Skeldar VTOL UAV. Aeronautics is also partner in the European joint UAV-project Dassault nEUROn, where Saab develop Avionics and is responsible for the overall architecture and design. Marketing and support of the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet is also included in the Aeronautics business area.

Dynamics
Dynamics offers ground combat weapons, missile systems, torpedoes, sensor systems, unmanned underwater vehicles and signature management systems, remotely operated vehicles for armed forces as well as civil security applications.

Short range weapons offered include Carl-Gustaf, AT4/AT4 CS, STRIX and MBT LAW. Missile systems offered are RBS 70, RBS 23 and RBS 15.

Electronic Defence Systems
Saab Electronic Defence Systems offers airborne, ground based and naval radars, including Erieye, ARTHUR and GIRAFFE.

Various self-protection systems are also offered within the business area, such as counter measure dispenser systems, sensors and jammers. The business area also offer display systems, head up displays, monitoring systems and various other avionics related solutions.

Security and Defence Solutions
The security and defence solutions area develop systems within the civil security sector as well as training and simulation solutions. The offer include Airborne early warning systems and C4ISTAR systems.

The training and simulation operations of the area offer tactical training and live-firing solutions for military and civil security use.

Support and Services
Support and Services offer maintenance, integrated support solutions, field facilities, logistics and regional aircraft maintenance.

Saab Aircraft Leasing leases and resells Saab aircraft to airlines. It completed 30 transactions in 2010.

Saab Barracuda LLC
The Saab Barracuda LLC facility in Lillington, North Carolina, manufactures signature management products and provides customized services. Foremost among the camouflage, concealment and deception products is the Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net System (ULCANS) which provides multi-spectral protection against visual, near infrared, thermal infrared and broadband radar detection. ULCANS is fielded with the U.S. Army and other Department of Defense organizations and is available in both woodland and desert versions. Saab Barracuda is one of only two qualified suppliers of ULCANS in North America, and currently holds a competed $1.76 B contract, along with GMA Cover Corp.

Military aircraft

 * Saab 17 (bomber/dive-bomber) (manufactured 1941–1944, 323 built)
 * Saab 18 (twin-engine bomber and reconnaissance aircraft) (manufactured 1944–1948, 245 built)
 * Saab 21 (twin-boom push-prop fighter/attack aircraft) (manufactured 1945–1949, 298 built)
 * Saab 21R (jet-powered version of Saab 21) (manufactured 1950–1952, 64 built)
 * Saab 29 Tunnan (first purpose-built jet fighter) (manufactured 1950–1956, 661 built)
 * Saab 32 Lansen (attack aircraft) (manufactured 1953–1959, 450 built)
 * Saab 35 Draken (fighter) (manufactured 1955–1974, 644 built)
 * Saab 37 Viggen (fighter/attack/reconnaissance aircraft) (manufactured 1970 and 1990, 329 built)
 * Saab 39 Gripen (multirole fighter) (introduced 1996, 219 built as of 2010)
 * Saab 105 (twin engine trainer) (manufactured 1963–1972, 192 built)
 * Saab 340 AEW&C (airborne early warning and control aircraft) (manufactured 1994-1997, 8 built)

Cancelled military aircraft projects

 * Saab 36 (bomber) (1950s, none built)
 * Saab 38 (attack/trainer)(1970s, none built)

Civilian aircraft

 * Saab 90 Scandia (32 passenger short-/medium-haul aircraft) (manufactured 1946–1954, 18 built)
 * Saab 91 Safir (single engine trainer) (manufactured 1946–1966, 323 built)
 * MFI-15 Safari/MFI-17 Supporter (single engine trainer) (manufactured 1971– late 1970s, ca 250 built)
 * Saab 340 (30–35 passenger short-haul aircraft) (manufactured 1983–1999, 459 built)
 * Saab 2000 (50–58 passenger high-speed turboprop airliner) (manufactured 1992–1999, 63 built)

Experimental aircraft

 * Saab 210 (experimenal aircraft) (manufactured 1952, 1 built)

Unmanned aerial vehicles

 * Saab Skeldar
 * Swiss UAV

Missiles

 * BILL 2 Anti-tank guided weapon
 * KEPD 350
 * MBT LAW
 * RB 04 (anti-ship missile)
 * Rb 05 (air-to-surface missile)
 * RBS 23
 * RBS-15 (surface-to-surface and air-to-surface anti-ship missile)
 * RBS-70