Gripen: Best of 2021
As we step into a new year, here is a quick look at some of the milestones achieved in 2021.
Test Firing of Gripen E Mauser Gun
Amongst the list of the most reliable combat weapons integrated with Gripen is the BK27- the Mauser 27mm cannon from Rheinmetall Oberndorf. Both the Swedish and the Brazilian Gripen E are being equipped with the BK27 automatic cannon with a newly developed link-less ammunition feeding system. The test firing with Gripen E was conducted in March 2021.
About the Mauser BK27, Test pilot André Brännström says, “If you are wondering why we still use a gun, that's because of its close combat performance. When we are doing an air-to-air mission, and we need to, in really close range, have a weapon effect to a target, the most suitable is a gun.”
Training of Brazilian pilots in Sweden
Another important milestone was the successful training of more Brazilian Gripen pilots last year. The training, (both combat and conversion) of the first group of pilots from the First Air Defense Group (Jaguar Squadron) started in January 2021. These pilots are now in Brazil and preparing for the arrival of the new Gripen E fighters.
Gripen E enters a new delivery phase
The first six serial production Gripen E aircraft were presented to Brazilian and Swedish authorities in November. It established Gripen as a mature product and Saab fulfilled its contractual obligations on time. To know about more highlights of the year for Saab, watch the video here.