SAM Delivers the First Gripen E/F Tail Cone to Brazil
Saab Aeronáutica Montagens (SAM), Saab's Aerostructures plant in Brazil has completed the production of its first aerostructure for the Gripen E/F, reports Assuntosmilitares. The new tail cone will be sent to Linköping, Sweden, this month for the final assembly.
"This milestone represents a new phase of the work, which began with the presentation of the plant three and a half years ago. This is a great achievement for the entire SAM team,” says Marcelo Lima, General Director of the unit.
According to Marcelo, about half of the assemblers have undergone hands-on training in Sweden as part of the Gripen Technology Transfer Program. The transition from the design phase to the production phase started in June this year. Since then, a total of 200 hours were spent on the production of the tailcone.
"In addition to following Saab's already recognized quality process, we also try here to optimize them for better results,” says Ola Rosén, Director of operations of the factory.
SAM is the first and only Saab plant for Gripen outside of Sweden. As a key partner in the Brazilian Gripen programme, SAM is responsible for the manufacture of 72 tail cones, where 36 will be for the Brazilian Gripen E/F fighters. The tail cone for Gripen E is the first aerostructures to be produced at SAM. The plant will also follow up with the production of Gripen's aerodynamic brakes, wing casket, and rear fuselage and front fuselage.
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