Saab Starts Development of Two Seater Version of Gripen Fighter For Brazil

Saab has begun the development of two-seat version of Gripen NG fighter jet in Brazil with extended cooperation from a number of Brazilian companies.

The new developments included an announcement on the first aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force Saab made the announcement at LAAD International Defence & Security Exhibition Tuesday.

"Major advances are happening in the Gripen programme for Brazil. The first aircraft to be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force is already under production at Saab’s facilities in Linköping, Sweden," said Mikael Franzén, head of Business Unit Gripen Brazil, Saab business area Aeronautics.

"Furthermore, Brazilian engineers are participating in the development and integration of the fighter’s systems. We are seeing an excellent working relationship between the Swedes and Brazilians, with the latter very passionate about being a part of the Gripen Programme."

The two-seat version of the Gripen NG is being developed at the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), which was inaugurated in November 2016, in the state of São Paulo. The site was designed to serve as the technological development center for the Gripen NG in Brazil for Saab and Embraer, together with Brazilian partner beneficiares and institutions. It currently has 56 engineers working at the facilities, with 40 Brazilians and 16 Swedish expatriates.

"The transfer of technology also continues to advance to ensure the conditions needed for Brazilian companies to acquire all the knowledge related to the fighter development," explained Franzén.

Regarding Gripen’s aero-structures plant, Saab confirmed that it will be built in São Bernardo do Campo, in Greater São Paulo. Called Saab Aeronautica Montagens (SAM), the facility will manage the supply chain and will produce subassemblies for both the production line in Sweden and in Brazil, such as the wings and front and rear fuselage of Gripen.

Saab announced two new agreements in the Gripen Programme: with Atmos Sistemas and DCTA. They will work on developing the Gripen fighter to Brazil, joining Embraer, Inbra, Akaer, AEL Sistemas and Atech.

Atmos Sistemas will build-up component maintenance capabilities for Gripen sensor systems such as radar and electronic warfare equipment. The company will also be responsible for in country component maintenance for such systems. This will help to secure a cost efficient maintenance solution for the Gripen platform and to secure outstanding availability for the complete weapon system.

DCTA will establish capabilities for early phase requirements capture and development of a complex future fighter system. There are six different Research &Technological Cooperation projects togetheDer with DCTA Institutes ranging from aircraft design to aerospace engineering.