First Gripen E assembled in Brazil completes maiden flight
The first Saab Gripen E built in Brazil flew for the first time on 6 October from Embraer's facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state, Saab and Embraer said. The aircraft is the first of 15 Gripen E jets to be produced in the country under the current programme.
The first Saab Gripen E assembled in Brazil flew on 6 October, taking off from Embraer's facilities in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state. A Saab test pilot was at the controls, with Embraer involved in planning and carrying out the flight. The sortie checked key systems and flight characteristics.
Embraer and Saab called the flight an important step toward producing the fighter outside Sweden.
After further production and acceptance testing, the aircraft goes to the Brazilian Air Force. It is the first of 15 Gripen E fighters to be built in Brazil under the current programme.
The jet will then be transferred to Anápolis air base, where it will be stationed with the 1st Air Defence Group.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comErster in Brasilien gebauter Saab Gripen E absolviert Erstflug