In its global debut at a multinational exercise, Gripen E exceeded expectations, making a powerful first impression.
Nearly two years after being introduced into active service with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the F-39E Gripen concluded its participation in CRUZEX 2024, confirming FAB’s projections.
“Expectations were surpassed, especially regarding availability. We brought seven aircraft as planned and almost every day we had all seven fighters available on the flight line. The Composite Air Operations (COMAO) missions involved four F-39E Gripens in the morning, along with another smaller mission in the afternoon with two more aircraft,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Lincoln Santos Fórneas, commander of the 1st Air Defence Group (1º GDA).
Whether acting as an Allied or an Opposing Force, the integration and performance of the systems were exceptional, showcasing the F-39E Gripen’s capabilities as a modern weapons platform.
“The electronic warfare system, the threat detection, the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and the passive Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) targeting sensor all worked perfectly. We were able to simulate missile launches with excellent results,” added Lieutenant Colonel Fórneas.
The fighter’s interaction with other aircraft in the same formation also went smoothly, providing air superiority and protection for transport and attack aircraft formations during the Composite Air Operations (COMAO), which involved dozens of aircraft flying simultaneously in the same airspace.
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