Gripen Design and Development Network - GDDN
Gavião Peixoto (SP)
The Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN) is the hub for technology transfer in the Brazilian Gripen Program, serving as the integration point for companies, government entities, and partners involved in the program, especially Embraer.
Inaugurated in November 2016, the GDDN is the development center for the Gripen in Brazil. Currently, around 135 employees from Embraer and Saab work at the site, the vast majority being engineers. They focus on developing the Gripen E/F in areas such as vehicle systems, aeronautical engineering, structural design, system installation and integration, avionics, human-machine interface, weapons integration, and communications.
The GDDN was established with the mission of being the central hub for the collaborative development of Brazil's fighter jet. To achieve this, the environment is securely connected to Saab in Sweden and industrial partners in Brazil, ensuring efficient technology transfer and development with data and information security.
The site includes simulators necessary for the development of the jets in Brazil. In 2019, the GDDN inaugurated the S-Rig (Systems-Rig), the first Gripen development simulator outside of Sweden, used for development and integration tests, as well as system and subsystem verification. The S-Rig also supports the activities of the Gripen Flight Test Center, preparing pilots before flight tests.
This equipment reduces risks, cycles, and development costs of the project in Brazil, as engineers can test and integrate new software and hardware before actually testing them on the aircraft itself.
The GDDN is crucial for the entire Gripen operation in Brazil, providing the necessary infrastructure for the continuous updating of the fighter jet with new capabilities. Additionally, it enables Brazil to integrate new armaments and sensors throughout the aircraft's lifespan.