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The two aircraft manufacturers Embraer and Saab, in cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), have successfully completed the certification flight tests for the aerial refueling of the Gripen E fighter aircraft by the KC-390 Millennium multi-role aircraft.
The test series was conducted at Embraer's facilities in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, and coordinated by the FAB's Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA). This is where the Gripen flight test center is located.
Engineers and test pilots from Saab, Embraer and the FAB took part in the test series. During the tests, various flight configurations, speeds and altitudes were evaluated and the precision of aerial refueling was confirmed. The latest generation fly-by-wire systems of both aircraft contributed to the success of the operation, with the KC-390 producing a favorable wake and the Gripen demonstrating its responsiveness in flight.
Flight tests with KC-390 and Gripen E
The flight test campaign had two objectives. The first was to qualify the Gripen E as an aerial refueling receiver - an important step in validating the fighter's performance, stability and structural integrity throughout the mission.
The second objective focused on verifying the compatibility of both aircraft throughout the KC-390's flight envelope for high-speed refueling in day and night conditions. The aerial refueling of the Gripen E by the KC-390 further enhances the interoperability between these two state-of-the-art aircraft of the latest generation.
"This important milestone confirms the unrivaled qualities of the KC-390 as a tanker aircraft and further strengthens our partnership with Saab and the Brazilian Air Force. In addition, the KC-390's unique multi-mission capability, which allows the aircraft to be converted into a tanker in a matter of hours, provides unmatched flexibility to air forces worldwide," said Walter Pinto Júnior, Chief Operations Officer of Embraer Defense & Security.
"This achievement reflects the high level of integration between the teams involved. The aerial refueling verification is a very important technical milestone for our company as it demonstrates that Gripen E has reached a new operational reach.
The success of this campaign strengthens the strategic partnership between Brazil and Sweden, as well as Brazil's role within the global Gripen program ecosystem," said Mikael Olsson, Head of Flight Test at Saab.
"The air-to-air refueling verification between the KC-390 and the F-39 Gripen represents the success of cross-border cooperation. It is the result of a joint effort where Swedish technology, Brazilian engineering and the operational excellence of the Brazilian Air Force came together," concluded Col. George Luiz Guedes de Oliveira.
Certification expected
The Swedish Military Aviation Authority (SE-MAA) can now verify the Gripen E's air-to-air refueling capability as part of its certification process. This will be followed by the certification process by the FAB's Institute for Industrial Promotion and Coordination (IFI).
These institutions are responsible for the technical analysis and validation of the results, ensuring that both aircraft meet the most demanding international standards.
This test campaign, dubbed "Operation Samaúma" by the FAB and involving around 40 military personnel, makes Brazil one of the few countries capable of developing, testing and fully verifying aerial refueling systems using national technology.
Sources: Embraer & Saab
https://defence-network.com/kc-390-millennium-gripen-e-luftbetankung/
