Gripen is on the air!! FAB 4108's mission diary

By Marcelo Lobo da Silva/Aviation in Floripa

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Another F-26E Gripen fighter jet for the Brazilian Air Force took off from Ministro Victor Konder International Airport in Navegantes/SC on Thursday afternoon (9/39). Its destination was Anápolis Air Base in Goiás, home of the 1st Air Defense Group (1st GDA), the Air Unit chosen as the first operator of the aircraft. When FAB 4108 touched down on the runway of its new home, yet another delivery operation for these aircraft came to an end, an incredible journey by sea, land and air that we are pleased to present to our readers in yet another new article on the Aviação em Floripa website, bringing lots of exclusive information and images. For this coverage, we once again had the participation of our friend and collaborator, Ângelo dos Santos Melo, who kindly provided some of his photos. Likewise, complementing the visual and informative content of the article, links to videos produced by our friend Leandro Silva are available, referring to the transfer and takeoff of FAB 4108. Enjoy your reading!!

With the receipt of this aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force now has eight serial F-39E Gripen in operation, all of which are currently in operation with the First Air Defense Group (1º GDA). In addition to these, the FAB 4100, the first to arrive in September 2020, is in Brazilian territory and is used as a test and development model at the Flight Test Center (GFTC). Gripen Flight Test Center) and the Projects and Development Center (GDDN, Gripen Design Development Network), both based in Gavião Peixoto, in the interior of São Paulo. From now on, follow, through exclusive art and tables, specially created for this article, the mission diary of FAB 4108, from its departure from Sweden until it reached the Brazilian skies for the first time.

Gripen E fighters, not only for the Brazilian Air Force but also for the Swedish Air Force, are built in the city of Linköping, where Saab, the aircraft manufacturer, is based. The only exception to this rule are the F-39Es that are being produced at Embraer's industrial plant in Gavião Peixoto, where 15 of the 28 single-seat Gripen aircraft ordered by the Brazilian Air Force will be manufactured. It is important to note that if new aircraft of this version are purchased in the future, they will also be built in Brazil. Once the assembly stage at the Saab factory is completed and tests have been carried out, the aircraft is ready to be delivered to its end . In the case of Brazil, these aircraft are received by sea, which is much more economical and safer than bringing the aircraft in by air or disassembled on board a cargo plane. The port where the shipment takes place is in Norrköping, just 50 km from Linköping. It takes just a few minutes to fly between the two airports. From there, the planes are transported through the city streets, on a short route, to the port facility. The ships used are specially contracted for the operation, carrying only the plane and its ing material on board.

Gripen F-39E – Photo by Marcelo Lobo da Silva/Aviation in Floripa

After arriving at the airport, the final preparation phase of FAB 4108 began for takeoff. This phase took 2 to 3 days, the time needed to install the ejection seat and survival kit, as well as check all of the aircraft's systems and refuel. September 26 marked the Gripen's farewell from Navegantes. Before takeoff, however, an engine run test was performed. This is an important procedure and consists of starting and taxiing the aircraft to one of the runway ends, with the aim of checking that everything is working properly. After all, the aircraft had not flown or even been started for three weeks. It is a quick test, which takes just a few minutes and also serves as a simulation of takeoff. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the pilot briefly gives the engine full power and then returns to the apron. After a quick meeting between Saab technicians and FAB military personnel, if everything is in perfect working order for a safe flight to Anápolis, the procedures for takeoff are carried out. See below, an artwork specially created for this article, showing the places where FAB 4108 ed, after entering the Airport, in addition to images of the engine test and takeoff.

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Whenever a delivery operation like this is completed, the rumor comes up that this was the last time the logistics went through Navegantes. This situation has happened in the past and now, with the arrival of FAB 4108, the rumors are repeated once again. However, according to the of the contract, there are still four F-39E Gripen to be manufactured by Saab and sent to Brazil. Therefore, it is possible to say that, at least two more times, the city of Santa Catarina will be the gateway for the aircraft to Brazil. Another interesting aspect concerns the two-seater models, which are being developed and built in Sweden, with the prototype's maiden flight scheduled for next year. It is still unknown outside of official circles how this variant will be delivered, however, if the option falls on sea transport, the possibility that the two-seater aircraft will through Navegantes is almost certain.

The near future holds remarkable moments for the Brazilian Air Force's F-39 Gripen. In November, the Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise (CRUZEX) will take place in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. This is a large multinational training exercise organized by the FAB and involving the participation of several countries. It will be the F-39's debut in operational exercises and the first time that Brazilian aircraft will be tested against fighter aircraft from other air forces. In addition, CRUZEX will serve as a laboratory where tactics and doctrines for the use of the Gripen will be tested and validated, especially in the BVR (BVR) combat arena.Beyond Visual Range, or Beyond Visual Range), in which the planes face each other without having visual , using their sensors and weapons. Expectations are high and, from now on, the pilots of the 1st Air Defense Group (1st GDA), the Air Unit that operates the model, have been preparing themselves with dedication for the training. With the arrival of more units and the training of new pilots, a new operational milestone in the process of implementing the Gripen in the FAB is expected for 2025, which is the achievement of the Initial Combat Capability (IOC). Initial Operational Capability). When this happens, the F-39 Gripen will begin to carry out the Air Defense Alert (ALEDA), at the Anápolis Air Base and will effectively begin to fulfill one of the missions for which they are intended, which is the defense of Brazilian airspace.

The Gripen Program also has good prospects for 2025. Next year, the first F-39E Gripen produced in Brazil will make its first flight and will then be incorporated into the FAB. Likewise, in Linköping, Sweden, the two-seater model, designated as F-39F Gripen, currently in the final stages of construction, will also make its maiden flight and begin the testing and certification stages. With the reinforcement of the Brazilian production line, it is expected that more units of the fighter will enter into operation, also opening the possibility that a second Air Unit of the FAB will start operating with the F-39 Gripen. As commented on the website Aviação em Floripa, in an article published on September 2 (click here) link to access it), the acquisition of more examples of the fighter and/or the purchase of a second combat vector to replace in the short term the fleet of A-1 and F-5EM/FM, which are approaching the end of their useful lives, remains on the horizon of possibilities.

With Aviation in Floripa

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Gripen is on the air!! FAB 4108's mission diary

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