Saab do Brasil released today (05) another video about the tests and trials of the new Brazilian Air Force fighter, the F-39 Gripen. In it, Eduardo Rodrigues and Carlos Chester, Embraer test pilots, narrate how the test was carried out, which aims to analyze the behavior of the aircraft when it passes through a puddle of water. 

The video also features speeches by Saab flight test pilot Jonas Jakobsson and Saab Gripen Flight Test Center Head Sven Larsson. “It may not seem like a lot of water, but it's about 20 to 30 millimeters of water. You fall on top of it with enough speed to put a car in aquaplaning.”, said Sven, stating afterwards that the fighter behaved well. 

Still on the 28th of July, Saab published another video, where Chester and Eduardo talk about the test flights with the fighter. Saab and Embraer are carrying out a series of tests and trials with the FAB 4100 (registration of the first Brazilian Gripen) from the Gripen Flight Test Center, the GTFC, at the Brazilian manufacturer's facilities in Gavião Peixoto (SP). On the 13th of the same month, Saab reported on water spray tests with the hunt. 

The Brazilian Air Force acquired a total of 36 Gripens, 28 of which are the F-39E model, with one seat, and eight of the F-39F variant, with two seats. The latter was acquired only by Brazil. The first plane was delivered to the FAB in 2019 and arrived in the country in September 2020. Since then, it has been used by Saab and Embraer teams at the GFTC, participating in the fighter certification campaign. 

The first four operating units are expected to be delivered to the FAB later this year, which should be sent to the 1st Air Defense Group, the Jaguar Squadron, based in Wing 2 (Anápolis/GO).