The first Saab Gripen E multirole fighter being developed for Brazil will soon begin the flight test programme following a 10 September ceremony in Linköping, Sweden.
Initial flight tests will be performed in Sweden before moving to Brazil for additional flight testing by the end of 2020. Deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira: FAB) will begin in 2021, according to a company statement. The aircraft will be designated the F-39 by the FAB.
Initial flight tests of the first Saab Gripen E multirole fighter being developed for Brazil will soon begin in Segin in Sweden before moving to Brazil for additional flight testing by the end of 2020. (Saab)
The complete assembly of 15 aircraft will begin in Brazil starting in 2021. Saab said development of the two-seat Gripen F model is progressing with extensive activities at the Gripen Design and Development Network in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. Gripen F deliveries are expected to start in 2023.
The first Gripen E for Brazil, 39-6001, made its first flight on 26 August. The flight lasted 65 minutes and included test points to verify basic handling and flying qualities at different altitudes and speeds. This aircraft is the first Brazilian production aircraft and will be used in the joint test programme as a test aircraft.
Aircraft 39-6001 will undergo further testing of envelope expansion as well as testing of tactical sensors and systems. Saab spokesperson Jenny Gerdes said in August that aircraft 39-6001’s new cockpit layout and updated flight control system (FCS) will enable the aircraft to continue testing in a more serial representative environment.
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