Saab Gripen Fighter Embraer and Saab have signed an agreement that establishes a partnership for joint management of the Brazilian F-X2 f...
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| Saab Gripen Fighter |
The partnership agreement is part of Saab’s commitment to deliver industrial co-operation in relation to the F-X2 project for which the Saab Gripen NG fighter has been selected.
Under this agreement, Embraer will have a leading role in the overall performance of the programme. Embraer will also undertake an extensive share of work in the production and delivery of both the single and two-seat versions of the Gripen NG.
Embraer will be responsible for extensive work packages in systems development, integration, flight test, final assembly and aircraft deliveries. Embraer will also participate in the coordination of all development and production activities in Brazil. Furthermore, Embraer and Saab will be jointly responsible for the complete development of the two-seat version of the Gripen NG.
Beginning in the second half of 2015, a team of Embraer engineers and technicians will be based in Sweden to conduct initial training in the maintenance and development work for the Gripen NG. This skill and competence will subsequently be transferred to Brazil.
Embraer and Saab will build an Engineering Centre at Embraer's industrial plant in Gavião Peixoto, in the state of São Paulo, to support operations of the Gripen NG fighters with the Brazilian Air Force.
The single seat Saab Gripen NG won the 36 jet deal in December 2013, ousting the twin jets Dassault Rafale and Boeing F-18 fighter jets.
The Gripen won $4.5 billion deal with the complete technology transfer offer and low operating cost.
The Gripen NG is a true multi-role fighter aircraft, based on the proven Gripen C/D platform. It combines an advanced aerodynamic layout that uses a canard and delta wing configuration, together with its triplex, digital fly-by-wire flight control system (FCS).
The NG is powered by a single General Electric F414G low-bypass ratio, afterburning turbofan engine, with a thrust rating of more than 22,000lb (98kN). The F414G produces 20% more thrust than Gripen’s current Volvo Aero RM12 power plant, and will enable super-cruise performance of Mach 1.1 with air-to-air weapons.
The worldwide Gripen fighter fleet has accumulated over 200,000 flight hours in total, operated by Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian and South African Air Forces and the UK’s Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS).
