The recent tests conducted in Anápolis (GO) in February marked another step in the technology transfer process, with Brazilian and Swedish professionals collaborating to analyze the Gripen fighter’s performance under high temperature and altitude conditions.
Over five days, the Gripen 4100, used by the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC) in Brazil, operated from Anápolis Air Base, completing another important phase of testing. This time, the goal was to ensure that the fighter could perform missions in 32ºC heat at 1,100 meters above sea level with additional loads. To achieve this, the aircraft was equipped with two underwing fuel tanks, each with a capacity of 1,100 liters, as well as two short-range infrared-guided Diehl IRIS-T air-to-air missiles and two long-range MBDA Meteor missiles.
“In total, we conducted 14 missions of 35 minutes each, 62 landings, and eight hot refuelings to gain efficiency. Our goal was to create a scenario where the aircraft was heavily loaded, in a hot and high environment, approaching for landing with a wide turn and aligning with the short runway just before touchdown,” explained Jonas Petzén, Saab’s chief flight test engineer.
The initial flights were conducted without any external loads, and from there, the fighter’s weight was gradually increased by adding air-to-air missiles and progressively fueling the external tanks. “We have previously conducted tests in hot, dry, and humid environments in Anápolis and Belém, focusing on environmental assessments to determine if the Gripen could withstand extreme heat and humidity. Now, we evaluated flight quality and maneuverability from the pilot’s perspective,” Petzén added.
These tests provide further practical evidence that the Gripen fighter is prepared to operate in any environment and climate, whether in Sweden, Brazil, or elsewhere in the world.
“We challenged the Gripen’s flight control system by making sharp corrections in the final phase before touchdown, confirming the expected responses from the aircraft and meeting the requirements in this regard. In this way, we tested the performance of the flight control system, the engine, and the braking system with a heavy landing weight in this environment,” explained André Brännström, Saab’s test pilot.
The campaign involved approximately 22 people, including seven professionals from Saab and 15 from Embraer, comprising technicians, flight instrument engineers, flight test engineers, test pilots, and campaign managers.
Source: SAAB
