---
title: "Saab Flies Two-Seat Gripen F: First Flight of the Fighter for Brazil Lasts 40 Minutes"
description: "Saab carried out the first flight of the two-seat Gripen F fighter from the airfield in Linköping. The flight lasted about 40 minutes; after extreme-regime testing, the aircraft will be handed over to the Brazilian Air Force."
date: 2026-08-28T22:22:03.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/saab-gripen-f-first-flight-two-seat-fighter
tags: [saab, gripen-f, fighter-jet, brazil, sweden, aerospace, military-aviation, drone-fighter]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Saab Flies Two-Seat Gripen F: First Flight of the Fighter for Brazil Lasts 40 Minutes

![Two-seat Saab Gripen F in flight: first flight of the Brazilian variant](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/29/saab-gripen-f-pervyy-polyot-dvuhmestnogo-istrebitelya/saab-gripen-f-pervyy-polyot-dvuhmestnogo-istrebitelya-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Saab successfully completed the first flight of the two-seat Gripen F fighter, lasting about 40 minutes, from the airfield in Linköping
- The next phases of testing will verify extreme flight regimes and the functions of the rear cockpit
- The Gripen E/F received the GE F414 engine, an AESA radar, a larger wing, and an elongated fuselage compared to the C/D
- After testing is completed, the fighter will be handed over to the Brazilian Air Force
- In the future, the Gripen F may gain the ability to control unmanned fighters

Swedish defense corporation Saab announced the successful completion of the first flight of the two-seat variant of the multirole fighter Gripen F (JAS 39F). The aircraft took off from the company's test airfield in Linköping and spent about 40 minutes in the air. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Saab's press service. During the test flight, engineers and test pilots checked the functionality of the main onboard systems, as well as a number of basic flight characteristics of the aircraft. In the footage published online, two Gripen-family fighters can be seen flying in formation against a clear sky — the tail of one of them bears the number "822", while the other displays the traditional emblem of the Swedish Air Force in the form of a lion.

### What Will Be Tested in the Next Phases of Trials

According to Saab, the first flight was only the initial stage of a lengthy flight-test program. In subsequent phases, specialists will gradually subject the fighter to extreme operating regimes: maximum speed, maximum flight altitude, permissible g-loads, and angles of attack. In parallel, the team will assess the tactical capabilities of the two-seat configuration, as well as the ergonomics and functionality of the rear cockpit, where the second pilot or weapons operator is seated. Only after all planned procedures are completed will the Gripen F be ready for delivery to the Brazilian Air Force — the main foreign customer for this variant.

### Technical Evolution: How the Gripen E/F Differs from the C/D

The JAS 39 Gripen E/F family represents a deep modernization of the fourth-generation multirole fighters Gripen C/D, which have been in service with the Swedish Air Force since the 1990s. The E and F variants feature an increased wing area and an elongated fuselage, which allowed additional fuel and avionics to be accommodated. A key upgrade was the installation of a more powerful General Electric F414 turbofan engine, as well as a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, providing simultaneous tracking of multiple targets and improved resistance to interference. These changes significantly extend the fighter's range, reaction speed, and information advantage compared to previous variants.

### Swedish-Brazilian Partnership and the Role of the Rear Cockpit

The Gripen E/F fighter was developed within the framework of a strategic partnership between Sweden and Brazil, which provides for extensive technology transfer under Brazil's fighter fleet modernization program. The two-seat F variant was developed with a dual purpose: pilot training and increased efficiency in jointly carrying out combat missions, where the second pilot can manage weapons or coordinate the actions of a group. At the same time, unlike many two-seat trainer-combat variants, the Gripen F retains its full combat capability and all ten weapons hardpoints, making it a full-fledged strike aircraft rather than just a trainer.

### Outlook: Controlling Unmanned Fighters

Particular attention should be paid to information about the future capabilities of the Gripen F. As Saab has previously demonstrated, in the future the fighter may acquire the functions of an air group commander controlling unmanned "loyal wingman" fighter drones. The company has already publicly shown a prototype drone-fighter designed for joint operations with a manned Gripen. This paves the way for "one pilot plus several UAVs" tactics, which is gradually becoming the standard for new generations of combat aviation. For Brazil, which is receiving the Gripen F under a long-term contract, such functionality significantly increases the value of the acquired equipment and ensures the fleet's relevance for decades to come.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Gripen F Fighter Makes Its First Flight: What It Is Being Prepared For](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vinishchuvach-gripen-f-zdiysniv-pershiy-polit-1787955508.html) - Основной источник: первый полёт Gripen F, 40 минут в воздухе, аэродром Линчепинг, передача Бразилии, характеристики E/F.
- [Swedish Gripen F Fighter Makes Its First Flight](https://korrespondent.net/world/4907192-shvedskyi-ystrebytel-Gripen-F-sovershyl-pervyi-polyot) - Подтверждает факт первого полёта и основные параметры испытания.
- [New Gripen F Makes Its First Flight: What the Fighter Is Being Prepared For](https://www.unian.net/weapons/saab-vpervye-podnyala-v-vozduh-dvuhmestnyy-istrebitel-gripen-f-13483593.html) - Согласуется с РБК-Украина по срокам, месту и целям испытаний.
- [Saab Publicly Demonstrates a Drone-Fighter for Joint Operations with the Gripen (Video)](https://www.unian.net/weapons/saab-vpervye-prodemonstrirovala-dron-istrebitel-dlya-sovmestnyh-deystviy-s-gripen-chto-izvestno-video-13477092.html) - Согласуется с РБК-Украина по срокам, месту и целям испытаний.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How long did the first flight of the Gripen F last?
**A:** According to Saab's press service, the fighter spent about 40 minutes in the air, carrying out checks of the main systems and basic flight characteristics.

### Q: Where did the Gripen F take off from, and where will it be handed over after testing?
**A:** The first flight was carried out from Saab's test airfield in Linköping (Sweden). After all flight procedures are completed, the aircraft will be prepared for delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.

### Q: How does the Gripen E/F differ from the previous C/D variants?
**A:** The E/F variants feature an increased wing area, an elongated fuselage, a more powerful General Electric F414 engine, and a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

### Q: Does the two-seat Gripen F retain its combat capabilities?
**A:** Yes. The two-seat F variant retains its full combat capability and all ten weapons hardpoints, and is also intended for pilot training and jointly carrying out combat missions.

### Q: Can the Gripen F control unmanned fighters?
**A:** Saab has demonstrated a prototype drone-fighter for joint operations with the Gripen. In the future, the Gripen F may acquire the functions of a group commander controlling unmanned wingmen.