Flying the SAAB Gripen - Interview with Demo Pilot André Brännström
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- Опубліковано 1 бер 2022
- In part two of my interview with SAAB Test Pilot and Solo Demo Pilot André Brännström, he tells the story of how he transitioned to the Gripen A and flew all variants as both a test pilot and demo pilot. @saabgroup Looking for a good book? Check out the Spectre Series! www.cwlemoine.com
#SAAB
#Gripen
Views presented are my own and do not represent the views of DoD or its Components.
Thank you Mover for the interview with André! I’m from LINKÖPING, where SAAB is located. Now I’m 78 years old, but in the 60s I used to work at SAAB on the JA 37 Viggen program. In the 70s and 80s I lived in the US, but now when I’m old I’m back in Sweden. Having the family summer home almost a straight line from the SAAB runway, I see and hear Andrė and his pilot colleagues every day. I love the sound! Kjell
Greetings from a Finn who was born in Linköping. Jag är en finnjävel. :)
I envy you getting to see Gripen fly over all the time,it is quite a lovely airplane.More should have been sold overseas but Saab and the Swedish government cannot compete in sales with the US or even France.Economic ties as well as loose military ties are offered by the US which Stockholm cannot equal.The F-35 is an amazing aircraft but I question the ability of many of the countries who are and will be operating it to afford it long term.The combination of the Gripen E/F and the Globaleye system would seem to be something many countries would find useful.
@@harri9885 vi älskar finnjävlar
I would love to hear an interview from you as well. Hope all is well 🙏😁🙏
En från Östergötland här också! Verkar som dom rustar upp och använder F13 i Norrköping nu!
I am just really glad that Swedes are on our side. Starkare tillsammans.
Finlands sak är vår! 🇸🇪🤝🇫🇮
Russian poutine can't even watch their side
Jävla pissgranne ni har, vi har bra grejor men åt helvette för lite bara. Men nu blir det bättring, brukar säga att om Sverige tillverkar vapnen för det är vi bra på så kan Finland lära svensken att kriga igen.
kiitos broder
Forever connected.
I did my military service in 1989 as an mechanic on JA37 Viggen. One task we did was to reset and take note of the max-g reading. If it was above 8 g we were told to address this to an service officer before resetting. At one time a pilot stepped out of the cockpit with a kind of worrying face and when I climbed in to the cockpit to do my tasks I read the max-g meter to 9.8 g. I told the service officer and he first went pail and then red in his face and he called back the pilot and gave him the following words -"You know what this means, right? This is a 16 labor hour inspection work to be done on this aircraft. And YOU are going help us do it!"
I had never, soner or later, seen a person of such high asteem shrink to wet puddle on the ground right there on the spot. The fighter pilots of Swedish Air Force are my tru idols to this day.
16 hours is really not that much. Its like the one fighthour of a B2
@@matsv201bro just compared a regular fighter jet to the best stealth bomber in the world
@@issakawalit490 You mean the ONLY stealth Bomber? Its nots hard to be #1 when you are the only 1 lol.
Remember: the mechanics own the aircraft, the pilots merely borrow it.
this dude takes his job very seriously i can tell. after watching his gripen display I'm gonna say he's badass! I would bet to say this is the kinda guy you want as your wingman or flight lead.
He’s like my father, just do it if someone says you can’t do it. Just do it. It’s cold outside. Yes it is but work will keep you warm. It’s just for some hours then I will go home again.
I'm not sure if he's badass. To be sure of that - he need to be tested in "real conflict". If he still will be that 'cold' when there will be someone that wants to kill him - for real.
@@Rotaks Didn't you watch the video? He was part of a wing of Gripen pilots that did missions in Libya...
It1s obvious you have no idea of what you are talking about@@Rotaks
So professional, it is amazing how capable one can be. I welcome my Swedish cousines to our NATO alliance. I,17 years old , applied to Finnish air force, and the doctor said "those air force gyus are the most getlemen I have ever seen"
Wow Saab 37 Draken, Saab 37 Viggen and Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Gripen E. I've been following Saab fighterjet since 1971 when they released the Saab 37 Viggen. As a 6 year old I had a model Viggen.
Philippine airforce is in the final stages of getting it’s first Gripen squadron. I’m really happy we’re getting this aircraft (and some Old F-16 block 40s as well)
Thank you Mover for making this video. Hope you can get Andre back, I could listen to both of you for days
As a Swede I'm very proud of that humbled guy and the Gripen. We are a small country but sometimes we get it right🤗
Not so, you are HUGE country with a very small population! Your defence industry is the envy of the Free world, in particular your wonderful Gripen.
@@tacfoley4443Yes i can recommend buying an house in the woods of north Sweden for vacation.
Its cheap and you can fish and enjoy the nature.
Andre did win this years best show in a Gripen E at RIAT23..
Adding this news as comment ,a year later! André Brännström won first prize for his show at the Royal International Air Tattoo a few days back :D
Excellent interview. Andre knows his stuff and his enthusiasm for Gripen is very evident.
When Brazil was picking out the next fleet of fighter jets there were three competitors: the Super Hornet, the Rafale, and the Gripen. The Super Hornet was never that strong of a contender due to its age and price tag. The Air Force favored the Gripen, but for a time it looked like the Rafale would be picked for political reasons. I'm very glad the Gripen won out -- not only did Brazil get a sweet technology transfer deal to go with it, but it looks like the E version turned out better than anyone had anticipated.
Rafale sells a lot more jets than SAAB. Plus SAAB isnt cheap. Brazil have cancelled orders for freighters to pay for Gripens to be built.
@@yakidin63 Gripen was cheaper then the Rafale for Brazil.
I imagine the Rafale is just as potent and probably more powerful in some aspects.
The cool thing about the Saab philosophy is the robust strategy in construction and maintenance. The Gripen can land anywhere, be rearmed and refuelled by just a few conscripts and be ready to go again in under 20min. As a defensive fighter this means you can do a lot more missions than the attacker.
@@yakidin63 "Plus SAAB isnt cheap"
Yes, the unit cost is higher than the initial projections, but that always happens. What's more important to me is that we helped build the thing, on top of the tech transfer deal. That knowledge is just as valuable as the jets themselves, if not more so. We wouldn't have gotten that with the Rafale.
Super Hornet is newer and less expensive than Rafale
Really well done! Well edited, excellent questions, great flow, super use of footage. This had the feel of a documentary level interview and is a real next level. Damn she is a gorgeous airplane! And what an epic dude to listen to. Thanks for this.
I agree, the visuals were beautiful and this is one of the better interviews I've seen on any channel. Thanks to Mover and André!
Awesome interview! That Mats Sundin lookalike is badass for sure. Greetings from Finland
Hahahahahaha, I love your hockey connection brother! ❤ Sweden
Mover, what a GREAT guy. He strikes me as the kind of guy who makes it fun to come to work, and it was a real treat to listen to both of you through this.
The content of late has been really great- with all that's going on in the world right now, thank you for having inspiring and thoughtful content. If you want to know why it matters, I've had medical students who work with me watch your videos, and they show up for work the next day applying the Big 3 rules.
Thanks for all you do- be safe and w'yat!
This guy is a BEAST! Awesome interview!!
Yeah, talk about "speak softly and carry a big stick".
I just got into my tech school in the AF for flight controls and i wanted to thank you because of the motto of "make them tell you no" Another airman has flight controls for the B-2 but wanted the RC-135, i have the RC-135 but wanted the B-2. Everyone's first reaction to hearing that situation said "oh well, thats how the air force works" but i went out of my way to ask about swapping and it IS possible. I know i would have just accepted the my fate in the past but now ive got a real chance at maintaining the B-2
“Bring it on!”
“Yeah… we did.”
Love this. 😊
I'm amazed to see these older guys being display pilots, we have Blokkies Joubert here in South Africa who has been a pilot for a long time and flying the Gripen.
Old? Have you seen Sean D. Tuckers act before he retired? He was flying +12/-8gs in his early 60s.
I always thought of Gripen as a very capable no nonsense fighter aircraft. I'm Danish and I personally would have liked to see them being part of our Airforce. I can hope we will have our Swedish brothers and sisters in mind now that we are also increasing our defense budget but it's really just wishful thinking. We bought F-35s so we will probably just add a few more planes to that fleet if there will be money left for more aircraft.
two wonderful people!.... Thanks!
As someone who wants to be a pilot on the Brazilian air forçe Gripen's this is interesting
thanks doing this content!
Instant like 👍🏻 And thank you Mover for your efforts to analyse some of the situation in the Ukraine the way you do. Staying objective the best way possible is not always easy, but necessary. Give my regards to Wombat and Gonky.
Had me glued to this interview Mover! Great Chemistry! To have a personal perspective from Andre let alone being able to do this with Saab's help was extremely interesting! Hope You can have a follow up with him in the future!! And Who knows? Perhaps You may get a ride in this fine piece of aircraft engineering as a guest one day. Blue Skies Brother & Everyone :)
I've seen a few Gripen displays, likely that André might have flown in at least one, and it is always really impressive and feels one with a sense of pride! Knowing that we have a bunch of people like this in our Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) is reassuring!
Great interviews, really interesting.
The greatest threat against Sweden these days is not yet recognized and accepted, nor defended against ua-cam.com/video/V6RM-M6t47M/v-deo.html
What an amazing interview series with an amazing and humble fighter pilot from my lovely hometown Linköping👌🏻🙌🏻 I live really near the SAAB factory so I see and hear those guys every other day😁🇸🇪 It would be so cool if the Swedish Air Force could let you come here and take you on a ride in a 2-seater Gripen! Other “UA-camers” have been able to do that and if someone it should be you!
André is such a sweet killer. You can tell he has no need to prove himself to anyone. He’s definitely high on the Dunning Kruger scale.
Guess its that scandinavian humility :)
When it comes to engineering and technical competence, they have their way.
I think the Swedish culture highly values introverted intellectual, creative and adventurous types. They punch above their weight in technical fields.
What a great interview! Thanks Mover and Andre!
How did I miss this? This is awesome! :D
Fascinating guy. Very interesting interview. He's a beast, with those push-pull maneuvers. How he didn't black out is beyond me.
Can’t wait for a follow up!! That centrifuge chat was hilarious : )
Thank you both for your time !
Been waiting on the second half🙌Andre is a joy to listen too.
Flat out AWESOME! Thanks Mover! Thanks André!
Thanks André and Mover, awwesome interview ❤
Awesome interview.... Thank you both for making this happen.
Wonderful. Amazing. Well done Mover and Andre.
This was a great interview CW...I enjoyed your review of the flight video. To get to interview the pilot has been very informational...great job..
Helt underbart! Thanks from Sweden🇸🇪
Great interview Mover. This guy is definitely living his best life.
I sincerely enjoyed this interview with Bulan. Exceptional content as always. Thank you.
That’s awesome! Great interview, looking forward to the next demo display from the E version
As you finished up with Mover, really awesome to see the demo flight then talk with the pilot - just outstanding. Thanks for putting together a great pair of vids, highly interesting and entertaining, and great to hear from pilots from other parts of the world. Cheers mate.
Really enjoyed this interview sir! Great questions and flow.
Another great interview, Mover. Andre', thanks for sharing your thoughts. You're flying a beautiful jet.
Fantastic interview, bring this guy back 👍🏻
Great interview! Thanks for all the good content.
I really enjoy seeing you guys talking on the channel with such passion about aviation while still keeping a “both feet on the ground” approach when commenting and analyzing 3rd party material.
Looking forward to seeing those Gripen flying in Brazilian air shows 😀👊
Great episode! Superinteresting to hear the perspective from the Swedish pilot and great followup-questions from Lemoine.👌✔
Thanks a lot for this episode!❤
Excellent interview! Have had the pleasure of working with him and the Swedish Air Force several times during my time in the Norwegian Air Force, i.e the Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE) he talked about. I'm really impressed by the Swedish innovation and technology. Was definitely on par with our US made systems. With the tention we have today from our neighbor in the east, it'll be interesting to see how long the Swedes and Finnish count themselves as "neutral".
Great interview, you just have the knack of getting the right guys to join you and inspire the next generation of awesome....
I used to live in Linköping, where Gripen is developed. It's a small-ish city, with lots of tech. They have a small airport with flights to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. Last time I was on one of those flights, the guy next to me was reading from a folder about Meteor missiles. Turns out he was also a test pilot for Saab. He was also about to age out of that job - so I asked if he was thinking about being a commercial pilot, or translate his skills into the civil sector somehow. He said "yeah... when you've flown like that, flying a commercial plane is like being a glorified bus driver".
Love your channel!!! Thanks for another great video.
Thank you again, C. W., for hosting these great discussions, and of course, thanks to Andre. I love these interviews. "_
_Kickass_ interview!
Man Mover, you knocked it out of the park with this interview. So interesting to get the perspective of a foreign fighter pilot, and a bonus that it was the Gripen, one of the most interesting fighters (4th Gen?). The conversation was well-paced with insightful questions and thoughtful - but sometimes surprising - answers! Well done!!
Yeah 4th gen, but I’m systems the E/F is more like a 5th gen platform with an aesa radar, datalink, full glass cockpit, radar jammers… commonly referred to as 4.5 gen or 4++ gen fighter
@@kalle5548 it's hard to categorize it with the old generation categorization because with it's ground breaking EWS its surpassing 5th gen fighters in certain areas
@@andersmalmgren6528 Yeah I'd heard that to but wasn't quite shore
@@andersmalmgren6528 This one? ua-cam.com/video/n50suTPXXSo/v-deo.html
I don't know much about these stuff, just accidentally found and watched the video in the link, then this came up...
I can only say: I'm impressed! Proud to be 🇸🇪
@@kalle5548 There is nothing 5th gen about E/F. It is a 4.5 gen. That's it.
Mover that was a great interview with Andre!
better than anything on tv. thanks mover👍👍👍👍👍
Great second part :) Really appreciated this interview!
Jesus… thanks for this material… love this aircraft. Thanks mover!… respect!
Excellent interview Mover.
Great one 👍 Its allways amazing to hear and look at two pros.
AWSOME... :-) WOW....THIS IS BEST INTERVIEW OF YEAR, THX !!!
Excellent interview. I got the opportunity to visit the factory in 1994 or 1995, with a flight in the back of the 2000. Got to sit #2 behind a Gripen taking off. Good times.
Awesome interview! Hope to see more from other nations! Keep up the good work
Excellent! Great job! Both!!
Thanks Andre'. Good interview Mover!
Really good video thank you! Proud to be Swedish!
Awesome guy, awesome aircrafts, cool interview
Great interview
Really liked this dialogue, thanks!
AWESOME interview! And man, what a cool aircraft!
Dude's a BEAST with that jet!
This is an extraordinarily well marketed aircraft.
What a great interview 🙏🏼nice 👍🏼🇸🇪🎗🇺🇲Top as always....
Great interview, very interesting👍
Great interview. Thank You!
snyggt jobbat André!!
Absolutely loved it.
I watched the demo and for real this dude is old but badass.
That was so cool. Great to hear from the demo pilot. :))
Flying at 300 meters altitude and pulling 9G takes some courage.
I love the gripen, it's beautiful and awesome.😊
Great vid and interview Mover.
Great video and interview.
Loved the “I’m throwing my name in the hat for a job” moment.
Great interview. :)
awesome to know such classy people are our allies and they have awesome planes to so win win
Great interview - cool to hear about the Gripen from a true expert. I think some other really cool Swedish fighter pilots were the men that escorted the SR 71 in 1987 that were awarded for their efforts.
Yes back in the Viggen days one Viggen also famous for able to lock on sR 71
@@RobIn-iu2td they did that multiple times
Agree on that. When Viggen showed up the hunters turned home. Something to remember.
The cold war kept our Swedish pilots on their toes.
They were and are really great airmen!
That was awesome!
The best job in the world 🌎 flying in general. That was the best comment he made. Great interview. Good man.
I'm going to apply to become a future Gripen pilot this summer and I can't wait! "The weather is always good above the clouds"
Proud as a Swede! 🇸🇪
A lot of people know this, but it's still worth repeating: Gripen was designed for a very particular tactical situation, namely Sweden's during the cold war. It's a "bespoke" aircraft, if you will. Comparisons like "is it better than X" is still interesting, but bear in mind what it was made for. There was a huge debate in Sweden in the 70s if we should really try and design another "domestic" fighter and a lot of people felt we should just buy a foreign one. At the time we were a country of 7 million people, mind you, so that's less than NYC or Paris. Anyway, the Gripen was designed to be able to be serviced and maintained by enlisted personell, to operate from dispersed bases (basically strips of highway) etc and to fulfill the exact geopolitical and tactical requirements of a particular country at a particular time in history. I suppose the lack of commercial success is a reflection of the fact that the airplane is so tailor-made to a particular set of requirements.
You can only say that until the Charlie version, the Echo is totally different in range, performance, envelope and lethality...
How to use the term "tailor-made" of two very different aircraft?
It's like saying that an F-18 and a Super-Hornet are the same aircraft... The Gripen C and E don't even share the same structure or even the same wings. Search about the Gripen Echo data by searching for the Brazilian company "AKAER", which was the one who redesigned the new structure of the Gripen.
Gripen E shouldn't even be called Gripen and it actually almost got renamed to Super-JAS39
I think the lack of commercial success is due entirely to influence and pressure from the US government, and not the design or technical abilities of the aircraft.
@@ceciliaieav I agree and disagree. But yes, overall you can say the very same about lots of aircrafts. F-16A from mid 80's ofcouse differ extremely much compared to the F-16V that came almost 30 years later.
But...they are all based on the same airframe (with changes every now and then). Just as a russian T-90 is a modernized T-72 tank.
Still, the thing about Gripen still exist. It was- and still is produced to fit into swedish doctrine. Eg. STOL capacity. Just as so many other swedish inventions. Everything from eg. the swedish Bandkanon 1, S-tank (Stridsvagn 103C) to infrastructure (highways built so they can act as temporary airbases, bunkers, fortifications and so on).
Riksdag demanded it do all the mission profiles of the Viggen variants, on a tight budget. The series of obvious compromises in the little Gripen are evidence of that.
Viggen had a much more powerful Pratt & Whitney engine, but that engine wasn't designed for high AOA, so suffered compressor stalls when turning.
@@74DarkmanGripen E has a totally different airframe from the other version is bigger than the A-D versions.
Great interview Mover! I'd love to see more interviews with pilots from other countries, especially from Eastern European countries given all that's going on over there.
Awesome dude, super nice guy, and a sierra hotel pilot.
4:20
Goodness the difference of opinion, this guy has an incredible attitude.
I hope to see the E version flying this summer at the yearly Air Show, it's been on static display for years but never seen it fly.
CANADA needs to buy the Gripen E for our new fighter. So many reasons it makes sense.
Gripen was built for your climate. It's a perfect match :)
@@andersmalmgren6528 It can also land on roadways! I really hope Canada selects Gripen. It’s such a forward looking platform.
@@charlesblithfield6182 yepp it can and be turned around in 10 minutes by a few conscripts
Yes this or F35
Sorry, you got the American Cadillac instead of the European sports car 😉 I kid, the F-35 is great I'm sure. Expensive tho.
Great interview. Great fighter. As a south african we use the Gripen. Beautiful plane
Gotta say Mover, your second act of life is amazing 👍🏾 thank you for all the great videos. #donated