Modificação do F-39 Gripen para operação em navio aeródromo: desafios e oportunidades para a base industrial de defesa brasileira

Abstract

The study analyzed the technological challenges and opportunities for the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base arising from the modification of the F-39 Gripen fighter jet for operation on aircraft carriers. Initially, the necessary modifications to the aircraft design for operation on an aircraft carrier were discussed. The research highlighted significant challenges for Gripen’s landing and takeoff, due to the complexity of making the aircraft and the ship compatible, identifying the following high-level systems as impacted: landing gear, structural design, and flight control software. Subsequently, with the support of the Aerospace Industry Development Integrated System, the capabilities of the Brazilian aerospace defense industry were analyzed, identifying companies with competencies related to the technologies needed for Gripen modifications. The selected companies were divided into three groups: those with existing technologies, those requiring some support, and those with significant knowledge gaps. Finally, based on Michael Porter's theory of competitive advantage of nations, general enhancement measures were proposed, which are applicable to all companies to varying degrees, as well as specific measures for each group of companies, including: acquisition through the formation of a consortium, including representatives of national companies for the group with existing competencies; government incentives for the establishment of formal strategic partnerships between the aircraft manufacturer and national companies that require some support; and the formation of clusters based on the triple helix model focused on research lines that gradually reduce technological gaps for those companies with significant knowledge deficiencies.