F-5M vs. Gripen EF: A HUGE 50-YEAR leap for the Brazilian Air Force! Understand...
Video from the channel AEROMIL about Northrop F-5, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 14:41. Language: Portuguese. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
The video compares the F-5M, the modernized version of the F-5 Tiger II and today the most numerous air-defense aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force, with the Gripen E/F (F-39) that is beginning to replace it. Its aim is to show the technological and operational leap that the handover represents.
Historical context
According to the video, the F-5 is a much older aerodynamic design, from an era when stealth was barely considered. In the FAB it is used mainly for air defense, without advanced missiles or bombs integrated. The Gripen, of the 4++ generation, is multi-role and will therefore also replace the AMX. In addition, Brazil's participation in the program, with technology transfer, gives access to the source code to integrate weapons from different suppliers.
Key figures
The video attributes to the Gripen about 6,000 kg of weapons on 10 hardpoints and 98 kN of thrust. The F-5 carries 3,200 kg on seven hardpoints. According to the FAB, with 2,300 kg of weapons and only internal fuel, the F-5's combat radius is around 220 km, compared to about 1,300 km for the Gripen. The video also highlights the Gripen's supercruise, takeoff and landing in under 500 meters, AESA radar, low radar signature, electronic warfare and networked data link.