First Brazilian Gripen takes flight
Saab has carried out the maiden flight of the first Gripen E fighter for the Brazilian air force.
The 65min sortie of aircraft 39-6001 was carried out by Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg from the company’s Linköping, Sweden site on 26 August, during which it verified basic handling and flying qualities at different altitudes and speeds, ensuring that the aircraft’s behaviour was in line with expectations.
‘This milestone is a testament to the great partnership between Sweden and Brazil. Less than five years since the contract was signed, the first Brazil Gripen has conducted her first flight,’ Håkan Buskhe, president and CEO of Saab, said.
This aircraft is the first Brazilian production aircraft and will now be used in the joint test programme being carried out by the Swedish government and Saab, expanding the test parameters for the tactical system and sensors on-board the fighter, which once in service with the Brazilian air force as the F-39 will have the tail number 4100.
Aircraft 39-6001 is different to previous Gripen E test aircraft in that it has a new cockpit layout including a large wide area display, two small head down displays, and a new head up display, as well as an updated flight control system.
‘For me as a pilot it has been a great honour to fly the first Brazilian Gripen E aircraft as I know how much this means for the Brazilian air force and everyone at Saab and our Brazilian partners,’ Ljungberg said.
‘The flight was smooth and the aircraft behaved just as we have seen in the rigs and simulators. This was also the first time we flew with the wide area display in the cockpit, and I am happy to say that my expectations were confirmed.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
