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18 January 2024

Brazilian Gripen E conducts IRST tests in simulated aerial combat

2 min read

The Brazilian Gripen E aircraft with registration FAB 4100, dedicated to tests in Brazil, took part in a flight test campaign in Anápolis (GO) to assess the Infrared Search and Track (IRST), a passive long-range target detection sensor.

For the test, two Brazilian Gripen E fighters and one F-5 simulated an aerial battle. The test aircraft, FAB 4100, piloted by Saab test pilot Jonas Jakobsson, had the mission to locate the other two aircraft using the Infrared Search and Track (IRST).
The second Gripen was flown by Lieutenant Colonel Cristiano de Oliveira Perez, a test pilot from the Brazilian Air Force Research and Testing Institute (IPEV). The F-5 was under the command of Colonel Bettega, also a test pilot from IPEV.
Three flights were conducted, lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours each. Brazilian professionals from Saab and Embraer, along with Swedish Saab engineers, were involved in the entire test campaign.

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“The goal of the tests was to ensure that the system can locate threats within the specified parameters and is part of the global test campaign for the Gripen E, involving all aircraft of this model, not just those of the Brazilian Air Force,” said Martin Leijonhufvud, head of the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC) in Brazil.
“We had a successful flight, collaborating with the other fighters, to test the IRST and also verify the image resolution obtained, which is crucial for the pilot to understand if there is one or more targets and plan their actions,” commented Swedish pilot Jonas Jakobsson.

The IRST can detect and identify targets at long distances through their infrared signatures, i.e., the heat emitted. Located at the front of the fighter, the system functions as a passive sensor that identifies objects of interest in various environments, whether they are aircraft in flight, vessels at sea, or vehicles on land.

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