Combat aircraft

and were to be withdrawn at the end of

December 2013.

With development of the Gripen E/F

still in its infancy, an alternative to the

immediate problem had to be sought.

Sweden offered to lease six Gripen C/Ds to

fill the pressing requirement, which would

have a secondary benefit of helping to

build local knowledge of the new fighter.

As the Gripen lease option was

evaluated, a number of options for the

Anápolis wing were drawn up. The FAB

decided that it should remain active

with fighters and able to respond to any

scramble situation that might arise. It was

decided to bring the F-5EM to 1º GDA.

The move to the F-5

In preparation for the F-5’s arrival, a

maintenance task force was created,

and in November 2013 former Mirage

technicians joined a course at the F-5E/

FM maintenance and repair center

in São Paulo. At the same time, six

Below:

The modernized

cockpit of the

F-5EM, complete

with new multi-

function displays

and an updated

head-up display.

João Paulo

Moralez

http://www.combataircraft.net // March 2018 61

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