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
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?]()
High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?
Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.
-
![Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack]()
Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
-
![As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues]()
As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues
The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
-
![Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US]()
Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
