Pneumatic missile eject launcher pylons are to be developed and supplied to Saab of Sweden by Excelis under a long-term agreement.

Exelis said the pneumatic missile eject launcher pylons, or PMEL, will be for use on Saab's Gripen E fighters and allow the powered ejection of Meteor and AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles from the underside of the aircraft fuselage.

"This is a great opportunity for us to build on Exelis weapon carriage and release experience and continue to grow in the air-to-air missile eject market," said Ken Harrison, vice president and general manager of International Night Vision and Communications Solutions at Exelis.

Exelis said signature of the agreement between the two companies released an immediate design and development phase contract, which includes the delivery and supply of several flight-trial units. A later initial production contract will provide for the supply of 214 PMEL units to Saab.

Work under the contract will be conducted at Exelis' facility in Brighton, England.