Embraer Unveils First Saab F-39E Gripen Assembled in Brazil

(aviationweek.com)

16 points | by wslh 3 days ago ago

5 comments

  • dadoum 3 days ago ago

    > making the single-seat fighter also the first supersonic aircraft manufactured in Latin America

    Would the Ariane rockets also qualify as "supersonic aircraft manufactured in Latin America" in some overly pedantic way?

    I mean, personally I wouldn't consider it as manufactured there (as it's only final assembly), whether French Guiana actually belongs to Latin America is also up for debate and even designating a rocket as an aircraft would be a stretch in my opinion, but I would be interested to know how it can be objectively dismissed.

    • dmitrygr 3 days ago ago

      *AIR*craft are craft that need & use air. Rockets not only do not need air, they prefer a lack of air. So they are not aircraft. They are spacecraft (they are designed for and prefer space)

      • snypher 3 days ago ago

        To clarify they use air to generate lift and hence the ability to travel in the Z-axis, not that they need air to make the propulsion system work.

        Edit: if you strapped a Raptor engine to a 747 it would still be an aircraft.

        • dmitrygr 2 days ago ago

          You outpedanted me, nicely done, sir.

    • mopsi 3 days ago ago

      Aircraft depend on the air for lift and/or propulsion. Rockets do not; they are not aircraft because they can operate outside of the atmosphere.