4 min read
5 comments
FAB Gripen fighters defeated the legendary US F-15s. The victory impressed experts and could change the course of military aviation in Brazil. Discover the details of this unprecedented feat and how it impacts the global air defense scenario!
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) surprised the international community by defeating the legendary F-15C Eagle fighters of the US National Air Guard. United States in a highly complex military exercise.
The victory occurred during Cruzex, one of the largest air training events in Latin America, and consolidated the Gripen E as one of the most efficient fighters today.
During the simulated combat, FAB Gripen fighters defeated North American F-15s in BVR (Beyond Visual Range) duels, which test the ability to detect and shoot from a distance.
- “Brazilian” Portuguese becomes an internet meme after controversy between Brazil and Portugal
- Almost 2 km long and 30 meters wide, the largest wooden structure in the world is inaugurated in Japan
- Archaeologists have discovered a 3.300-year-old shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea
- Being nice and saying 'please' and 'thank you' to ChatGPT is costing OpenAI thousands of dollars
The Brazilian performance was impressive, scoring two victories against the Americans, who are used to coming out victorious in international exercises.
The aerial battle that surprised the world
Cruzex is a military exercise held at Natal Air Base and brings together several nations to test aerial combat strategies and technologies.
In the 2024 edition, the United States chose to bring the F-15C Eagle, considered unbeatable, instead of the F-16s, which participated in previous editions.
The F-15C is renowned for its strike capability, great range and speed, as well as an impressive record of over 100 real combat victories with no confirmed losses.
However, the Brazilian Gripens have demonstrated that technology and strategy can overcome tradition, using an advanced electronic warfare system and long-range Meteor missiles.
International recognition and strategic impact
The Brazilian victory had wide repercussions in the international media.
Specialized publications from Greece and the United States highlighted that the FAB used the Gripens in an international exercise for the first time, demonstrating their operational efficiency.
Furthermore, the performance of the Gripens attracted the attention of Colombia and Peru, which were evaluating new aircraft to replace their combat fleets.
Coincidentally, on the same day that the FAB defeated the F-15s, the Swedish press reported that Colombia had opted to acquire the Gripens E/F to replace its old Kfir jets.
What ensured the Gripens' victory?
Despite the F-15C being a larger and more powerful aircraft, the FAB's Gripen E demonstrated some decisive advantages in simulated combat:
- Stealth technology: The Gripen has a reduced radar signature, making it difficult to detect.
- Advanced Electronic Warfare System: It allowed Brazilian pilots to identify the F-15s before they were detected.
- Meteor Missiles: With a range superior to the F-120's AIM-15 AMRAAM, the Meteors enabled long-range attacks without giving a chance to respond.
The first fight and the Brazilian comeback
In the first Cruzex duel, the F-15C fighters achieved a victory over the Brazilian Gripens.
However, the following day, the FAB pilots adjusted their tactics and reversed the score, beating the Americans with two kills to zero.
Brigadier Ricardo Guerra Rezende, commander of the Natal Air Base and director of the exercise, stated that Gripen's performance was exceptional, even without operating at full capacity.
The statement reinforces that the FAB can still further explore the potential of the Swedish aircraft in the coming years.
The future of Gripen in Brazil and in the world
With the victory at Cruzex, the FAB demonstrated that the Gripens can play a fundamental role in Brazilian air defense and in the country's international projection.
Colombia, which was already studying the acquisition of the Swedish model, may accelerate its decision after this feat, strengthening military ties between the South American countries.
Meanwhile, the United States will have to reevaluate the capabilities of its aircraft in the face of the new generation of fighters developed by other nations.
The clash between Gripen and F-15 could be a milestone in the history of military aviation, showing that technology and strategy can stand up to even the most iconic aircraft in the world.
“It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot” (Maverick, 2024)
More than just a ridiculous report...total lack of knowledge and total exaggeration.
I don't know where this happened and when.