Brazil Welcomes Its Inaugural Gripen Flight
On September 24, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) proudly marked a significant milestone with the inaugural flight of the first Brazilian Gripen E, officially designated as the F-39 Gripen. The aircraft took off from Navegantes airport and successfully arrived at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto.
The grand official unveiling of this advanced fighter jet is scheduled for Aviator’s Day and Brazilian Air Force Day in Brasilia, which occurs on October 23rd.
“The arrival of Gripen in Brazil represents substantial progress in the Brazilian Gripen program. We take pride in this journey, collaborating with dedicated professionals from both nations,” remarked Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “We are on track with the delivery schedule and remain committed to Brazil in the long run.”
Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
“Embraer will lead the Gripen program execution in Brazil, overseeing systems development, integration, flight testing, final assembly, and delivery of the aircraft to support the Brazilian Air Force operations. In terms of technological advancement, Gripen offers an incredible opportunity for enhancing our capabilities in advanced combat aircraft development and manufacturing.”
Brazilian Minister of Defence, Fernando Azevedo e Silva, underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation:
“The Gripen enhances the operational capabilities of the Brazilian Air Force while fostering a partnership that encourages research and industrial development in both nations,” stated the Minister.
According to Air Force Commander, Lt. Brig. Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, the first F-39 Gripen’s arrival is a pivotal moment for the program:
“The Brazilian Air Force feels immense satisfaction witnessing this aircraft fly in national skies. The F-39 Gripen, designated as the new multi-mission platform for our Air Force, will serve as the backbone of our Fighter Aviation. It reaffirms FAB’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty across its extensive territory of twenty-two million square kilometers,” Lt. Brig. Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez highlighted.
The flight testing program will expand to include the Gripen Flight Test Center at Embraer in Gavião Peixoto, which will be fully integrated with the existing test protocol at Saab in Linköping, operational since 2017. Flight tests in Brazil will cover crucial areas, including flight control and environmental systems, along with assessments in tropical conditions. Furthermore, the unique features of the Brazilian Gripen, such as weapons integration and the Link BR2 communication system—designed for encrypted data and voice communication—will also undergo testing.
The Brazilian Air Force is set to receive the production aircraft at Wing 2 in Anápolis (Goiás State) by the end of 2021.
The Brazilian Gripen Programme
The strategic partnership with Brazil began in 2014 with a contract for the development and production of 36 Gripen E/F aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, including associated systems, support, and equipment. A robust technology transfer initiative, planned over a decade, is significantly advancing the capabilities of the local aeronautics industry through involved partner companies in the Brazilian Gripen project.
The advanced Brazilian Gripen E/F fighters are being developed and constructed in conjunction with Brazilian engineers and technicians. This collaborative effort is integral to the technology transfer initiative, which aims to build the necessary expertise for carrying out these operations domestically. By 2021, the full assembly of 15 aircraft will commence locally, while the development of the two-seat Gripen F continues to progress at the Gripen Design and Development Centre (GDDN) in Gavião Peixoto.
