Brazil’s first Gripen F reaches final assembly line as delivery edges closer
Brazil sealed its Gripen F deal at almost half the cost of either Dassault’s or Boeing’s offering. (Photo: Isac Nóbrega/PR)
The first JAS 39F Gripen two-seater fighter jet for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has reached the final stage of the assembly line at Saab’s Linkoping facility in southern Sweden.
Providing a media tour on 20 May at the facility where Saab assembles the more than 17,000 parts of the Gripen fighter, Matti Olsson, head of production at Saab aeronautics, said that the first F model for the FAB was undergoing air worthiness testing which usually takes between three-to-five days.
Before rolling to the next stage, fighters were nearly ready, with the engine and radars being fitted. The engine, a General Electric
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
-
Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
-
Leonardo’s Proteus structural tests “nearing completion” ahead of first flight
The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.