First Brazilian Gripen flown in Brazil
The first Brazilian Gripen E has concluded its first flight in Brazil, manufacturer Saab announced on 24 September.
The aircraft, designated by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) as the F-39 Gripen, flew from the airport in Navegantes to Embraer´s facility in Gavião Peixoto.
The official presentation of the aircraft is scheduled to take place during Aviator’s Day and the Brazilian Air Force Day ceremony in Brasilia on 23 October.
The Brazilian Minister of Defence, Fernando Azevedo e Silva, highlighted the importance of the cooperation between Brazil and Sweden:
‘Gripen increases the operational capacity of the Brazilian Air Force and promotes a partnership that fosters research and industrial development in both countries,’ the minister declared.
The FAB commander, Lt. Brig. Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, said the arrival of the first F-39 Gripen aircraft was a major milestone for the project.
‘It is an immense satisfaction for the Brazilian Air Force to see this aircraft flying on national territory. The F-39 Gripen, the new Brazilian Air Force multi-mission aircraft, will be the backbone of Fighter Aviation and it reaffirms the FAB's commitment to maintaining the country's sovereignty and to defend the 22 million square kilometres under its responsibility.’
The flight test programme will now be expanded to include the Gripen Flight Test Center at Embraer in Gavião Peixoto, which will be fully integrated with the test programme already running at full phase at Saab in Linköping since 2017.
Activities in Brazil will include testing of the flight control system and environmental control system as well as tests in the aircraft in tropical climate conditions. In addition unique features of the Brazilian aircraft, such as weapons integration as well as the Link BR2 communication system - which provides encrypted data and voice communication between the aircraft - will be tested in Brazil.
The production aircraft will be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force, at Wing 2 in Anápolis (Goiás State), by the end of 2021.
The partnership with Brazil began in 2014 with a contract for the development and the production of 36 Gripen E/F aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, including related systems, support and equipment.
As of 2021, the complete assembly of 15 aircraft will commence locally. The development of the two-seat Gripen F is advancing with numerous activities at the Gripen Design and Development Centre (GDDN) in Gavião Peixoto.
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