Saab conducts first flight of two-seat Gripen F with Brazilian test pilot

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On 28 August 2026, a two-seat Gripen F fighter jet completed its 40-minute maiden flight in Linköping, Sweden, piloted by Saab’s Jakob Högberg and Brazilian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Abdon de Rezende Vasconcelos. The aircraft is part of a 2014 contract between Brazil and Saab for 36 total jets, which includes 28 single-seat F-39E and eight two-seat F-39F models. The two-seat variant was designed to allow a second crew member to manage mission systems and sensors, facilitating a more direct transition for pilots from training to front-line combat duty. Deliveries for the remaining aircraft under the program are scheduled to continue through 2032.

Consequences

This flight initiates a mandatory test campaign for the two-seat variant that must be completed before the aircraft can be delivered to Brazil. The introduction of the F-39F will eventually allow the Brazilian Air Force to utilize the same platform for both complex combat missions and pilot training, reducing the need for interim training aircraft.

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