The FAB (Brazilian Air Force) begins a training program for firing long-range missiles from fighters. The exercises will be carried out for three weeks in (RN), where four of these aircraft flew from Anápolis Air Base (GO) last Friday (14).
As shown by Sheetthe plane manufactured by Swedish Saab was in April this year, but that did not mean that it could fire its cannon or the short-range Iris-T and the combat Meteor beyond the line of sight.
Since then, there has been development, including technological development, according to the Air Force.
According to lieutenant colonel Ramon Fórneas, commander of the 1st GDA (Air Defense Group) —Jaguar Squadron—, based in and responsible for operating the Gripen, the expectation is that the fighters will be fully operational in 2026.
Currently, the plane can carry out interception, but an eventual destructive shot against an invading aircraft would be the responsibility of the old F-5s.
In the tests in Natal, real long-range weapons will be used and the target of the simulated exercise will be a high-performance drone from the Italian brand Leonardo SpA, which flies at high altitudes and speeds. The dates of the shooting were not informed by the FAB.
It was in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte that the aircraft reached its peak since it became part of the country’s air defense. Last year, during , one of Brazil’s Gripen was shot down, and was also shot down, by the famous American F-15 fighter.
The Gripen has the ability to hit targets in the air and on the ground.
Between December 8th and 12th, “air-to-air” exercises are scheduled in , when machine gun fire from the Swedish fighter will be tested.
The objective will be to hit a target, called a windsock, towed by an American F-5 fighter, operated by the Air Force since the beginning of the 1970s and modernized in the 2000s, but which will be replaced by the Gripen.
“The Gripen will fire at this target and check the cannon’s accuracy [Mauser BK-27, de 27 milímetros]”, says the officer, who has participated in the development of Swedish fighters in Brazil since the purchase was signed in 2014.
“Agent [Força Aérea] We’ve been doing this for a long time, but it will be the first time we do it with the Gripen”, says Fórneas, in an interview with Sheetwhen referring to exercises with the F-5M Tiger II and Super Tucano fighters, for example.
Last Friday night, the 11th of the 36 Gripen compared by Brazil arrived at port.
It should be taken this week to Anápolis by one of the three test pilots qualified in the country to fly with F-39s, apart from the 13 officers from the 1st GDA.
“The trip is approximately one hour,” said the lieutenant colonel. According to him, the flight should be carried out at a speed close to the speed of sound (just over 1,200 km/h), in an “economical regime” — the plane reaches up to 2,400 km/h.
Before boarding in Navegantes, the plane is checked, from notes to components.
Also on Friday, the FAB announced that it had managed to certify the F-39 Gripen and .
Operation Sumaúma, a flight test campaign coordinated by DCTA (Department of Aerospace Science and Technology) – the body responsible for the scientific, technological and industrial development of the Aeronautics Command – together with companies and SAAB, took place in October and November, at the Embraer facilities, in Gavião Peixoto, .
The in-flight refueling capability allows fighter aircraft to remain in operation for long periods, significantly expanding range and dwell time over areas of interest.
The Brazilian program foresees 36 Gripen, 8 of them with two seats. The first aircraft produced at the unit should be ready this year, as part of the technology transfer program — the Brazilian manufacturer, like others such as AEL and Akaer, is a partner of Saab. However, it should only be delivered to the Air Force in 2026.
