This week, Swedish aerospace and defense firm Saab announced that production of the first JAS 39 Gripen F was completed, and the twin-seat jet fighter was presented to the Brazilian Air Force at a ceremony in Linköping, Sweden.
Although the single-engine aircraft has yet to make its maiden flight, it already sports its Brazilian Air Force markings.
“Gripen F is the two-seat variant of the Gripen E series and has been developed to meet the training and operational requirements of modern air forces by combining conversion training and combat capability on the same platform,” Saab explained in a media release.
The F model is based on the single-seat multirole Gripen E jet fighter, but it serves as an advanced trainer. The second cockpit provides instructor-guided missions, “giving trainee pilots realistic live mission conditions,” which can accelerate the training.
The twin-seat model can also be used as a command platform to monitor and coordinate multiple manned systems in real time, and also engage in electronic warfare (EW). The Gripen F can carry all of the ordnance as the single-seat version, including beyond-visual-range missiles.
The JAS 39 Gripen’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: 1996 (A); 2019 (E); 2023 (F)
- Number Built: ~300 (all variants)
- Length:
- JAS 39C/E: 14.9 m (48 ft 11 in)
- JAS 39 D/F: 15.6 m (51 ft)
- Wingspan: ~8.4 m (27 ft 6 in)
- Weight (MTOW): 14,000 kg (30,865 lb)
- Engines: One GE F414G afterburning turbofan (E/F variants)
- Top Speed: 2,100 km/h (1,300 mph) / Mach 2
- Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
- Service Ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
- Loadout: 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon (omitted on the two-seat variants), including air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, air-to-ground missiles such as the AGM-65 Maverick, and anti-ship missiles such as the RBS-15
- Aircrew: 1 (A–E), 2 (F)
In addition to Brazil, the Gripen F has already been adopted by Thailand and Colombia. Ukraine has also expressed interest in the aircraft, as part of its plan to purchase 150 Gripens of various models in the coming years.
Saab and Embraer Are Building Future Gripens in Brazil
Saab further highlighted the role Brazil, a launch customer for the Gripen F, played in the co-development of the twin-seat model. Hundreds of engineers and technicians have received training as part of the technology transfer program, which promises to enhance the South American nation’s aerospace industrial base.
“The rollout of Gripen F represents a shared achievement between Saab, Brazilian industry and the Brazilian Air Force, reflecting the deep trust we have built together over many years,” said Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s business area Aeronautics. “Developing this aircraft together demonstrates the maturity of this collaboration. It represents not only a highly capable fighter for the Brazilian Air Force, but also the tangible outcome of sustained joint development and shared ambition.”
Designed for the South American nation to operate the JAS 39F Gripen by Saab, the single-engine, two-seat fighter is known as the F-39F.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, in partnership with Saab, completed manufacturing of the first F-39E Gripen at Embraer’s facility in São Paulo.
In 2014, the Brazilian government signed a deal with Saab for the development and production of 36 Gripen aircraft, including 28 single-seat E models and eight F variants. Deliveries began in 2020.
To date, Saab has delivered 11 F-39E aircraft to Brazil, manufactured in Linköping, Sweden. An additional two single-seat E models, along with eight two-seat F-39s, will be produced in Sweden for the Brazilian Air Force. A total of 15 F-39Es will then be assembled domestically in Brazil by Embraer.
