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Monday, June 19, 2017

New Saab Gripen E takes first flight - A Possibility for RCAF CF-18 Replacement?

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch 

Saab’s Gripen E, the next generation of that fighter jet made its first flight on June 15. That is a major development for the plane. Deliveries are set for 2019.

At 10:32 on Thursday June 15, Gripen E took off on its maiden flight, flown by a Saab test pilot, according to the company. The aircraft (designation 39-8) left from Saab’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden and flew for 40 minutes. During the flight, the aircraft carried out a number of actions to demonstrate various test criteria including the retracting and extending of the landing gear.

Here are photos from Saab of that flight:

Sweden and Brazil have purchase the Gripen E. Belgium and Finland are considered potential opportunities for the Saab product, Richard Smith, Saab’s head of Gripen marketing, told journalists.

Perhaps Canada as well?

Defense News has noted that the Swedish Air Force has committed to a purchase of 60 E models, and Brazil is acquiring 36 jets, including eight twin-seat F versions.

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