Launch customer Brazil has ordered eight of the two-seat fighters.
Saab has flown the two-seat variant of the company’s newest Gripen fighter for the first time.
The inaugural Gripen F sortie took place on 28 August from Saab’s primary fighter development and production centre in Linkoping, Sweden.
Saab chief test pilot Jakob Hogberg was at the controls for the 40min flight, joined by a Brazilian air force (FAB) test pilot, to verify functionality of the single-engined jet’s core systems and the aircraft’s initial flight performance.
“This first flight represents an important step forward for both Saab and the Brazilian air force,” says Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s aeronautics unit. “It is designed to accelerate pilot training while… enhancing operational performance in advanced combat missions.”
The primary Gripen variant is the single-seat Gripen E, which is successor to the Gripen C.
The second seat in the Gripen F is meant to support new-pilot training while also providing a station for a weapons systems officer to oversee enhanced combat capabilities, including airborne battle management, electronic warfare and control of unmanned aircraft.
Brazil is the launch customer for the Gripen F, designated F-39F by the FAB. Eight examples are on order for the FAB, in addition to 28 Gripen E/F-39Es. Saab has partnered with Brazilian airframer Embraer to assemble 15 of the FAB’s 36 Gripens in Sao Paulo state, including E and F models.
Brazil is the launch customer for the Gripen F, with additional orders from Colombia and ThailandSource: Saab
The first Brazilian-made F-39E was unveiled in March of this year. The FAB has 11 single-seat jets in service, with the initial tranche having been manufactured in Sweden.
Saab says the Gripen F is now moving into airborne testing, which will include a series of initial production acceptance flights followed by a progressive envelope expansion phase. This will involve the jet pushed to its full performance limits, including airspeed, altitude, g-load and angle of attack.
A series of parallel assessments will validate tactical capabilities and rear cockpit functions specific to the two-seat configuration.
The campaign will be conducted by Saab’s Flight Test Centre in Sweden before the fighter is eventually delivered to the FAB.
Saab holds a backlog of 117 Gripens, including E- and F variants for Brazil, Colombia, Sweden and Thailand. Single-seat Es make up the bulk of that tally, with 11 Fs on order from Brazil (8), Colombia (2) and Thailand (1).
A firm contract signing is also expected in the coming months with Ukraine for 16 Gripens. Additionally, Sweden is likely to top up its orderbook to backfill 12 C/D-variant Gripens it donated to Kyiv.
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