Saab JAS 39 Gripen

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇸🇪 Sweden
First flight	9 December 1988
Year of introduction	1996
Number produced	300 units
Average unit price	$30 million

Description

The JAS 39 Gripen is a multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. The acronym "JAS" stands for Jakt (Air-to-Air), Attack (Air-to-Surface), and Spaning (Reconnaissance), highlighting the aircraft's versatility in performing a wide range of missions. The development of the Gripen began in 1979, with the aim of replacing the aging Draken and Viggen fighters in the Swedish Air Force. The first prototype took its maiden flight on December 9, 1988, and the aircraft was officially introduced into service with the Swedish Air Force in 1997.

The development of the JAS 39 Gripen was a significant undertaking that required substantial technological and financial investment. One of the main objectives was to create an aircraft that could perform various roles effectively, eliminating the need for specialized aircraft for different missions. The design was focused on achieving a balance between performance, cost, and maintainability. Saab utilized cutting-edge technologies to produce an aircraft that would meet both domestic and international requirements.

The Gripen features a delta wing and canard configuration, which enhances its aerodynamic efficiency and allows for superior agility and shorter take-off and landing distances. Its design also incorporates the latest advances in avionics and electronic warfare systems, making it one of the most modern and capable fighters of its generation. One of its unique characteristics is its modular design, which enables easier upgrades and maintenance. Components like the radar, avionics, and even the engine can be swapped out relatively easily, allowing for straightforward modernization and extending the aircraft's service life.

The Gripen's engine, a Volvo Aero RM12, is a derivative of General Electric's F404, offering a good thrust-to-weight ratio while maintaining fuel efficiency. The aircraft is also designed for ease of maintenance and quick turnaround, allowing for high sortie rates; it requires fewer ground crew members compared to other fighters, and can be re-armed and refueled quickly.

The development program encountered its share of difficulties. For instance, the first prototype crashed during an early flight test, but lessons were learned and applied to subsequent iterations. Eventually, the aircraft met stringent Swedish Air Force requirements and was also marketed successfully to various other countries.

Armament

The JAS 39 Gripen is designed to carry a range of weapons to suit its multirole capabilities. For air-to-air combat, it can be equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder or IRIS-T short-range missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM or Meteor long-range missiles. The Meteor, in particular, offers the Gripen a significant advantage in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements due to its high speed and large no-escape zone.

For air-to-surface roles, the Gripen can carry a variety of precision-guided munitions, including laser-guided bombs such as the Paveway series, and GPS-guided bombs like the JDAM. It can also carry anti-ship missiles like the RBS-15 and land-attack cruise missiles such as the Taurus KEPD 350.

The aircraft has an internal 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon for close combat situations. Additionally, it has provisions for carrying unguided rockets and various types of pods for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and targeting.

Operational history

The JAS 39 Gripen entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1997, initially replacing the older Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen fighters. Since then, it has been a mainstay of the Swedish Air Force and has undergone various upgrades to enhance its capabilities. The Gripen C/D variants are the most widely used, but newer E/F models are also entering service, offering advanced features and improved performance.

In terms of international deployment, the Gripen has seen combat as part of the NATO-led intervention in Libya in 2011, where Swedish Gripens flew reconnaissance missions. Additionally, it has participated in various international exercises, often alongside aircraft from other NATO countries, to validate its interoperability and performance under different operational conditions.

Beyond Sweden, the Gripen has been exported to a number of countries including the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, and Brazil. In these countries, the aircraft has been used in various roles ranging from air defense to reconnaissance and ground attack, though it hasn't seen extensive combat service in these air forces.

The Gripen has also been involved in various Baltic Air Policing missions, which aim to protect NATO airspace over the Baltic states. These deployments have provided real-world operational experience and demonstrated the aircraft's capability to undertake quick reaction alert duties.

Although the Gripen hasn't seen as much combat as some other contemporary fighters, its performance in exercises and limited operational deployments has generally been well-regarded.

Variants

The JAS 39 Gripen has several main variants:

Gripen A/B: These are the initial versions, with the single-seat 'A' and the dual-seat 'B' mainly serving as technology demonstrators and initial operational fighters. They have basic multi-role capabilities but are considered less advanced than subsequent models.
Gripen C/D: These are the most widely used versions, with significant improvements over the A/B models. The 'C' is the single-seat version, and the 'D' is the dual-seat version. Upgrades include better avionics, increased payload capacity, and the ability to carry a wider range of weapons. These versions also have enhanced electronic warfare systems.
Gripen E/F: These are the latest and most advanced variants, also known as Gripen NG (Next Generation). The 'E' is the single-seat version, and the 'F' is the dual-seat version. They feature a more powerful engine, greater payload capacity, and advanced avionics including AESA radar. They are designed to be easily upgradable and are capable of carrying the Meteor missile, among other advanced munitions.

Technical specifications

Version: JAS 39C
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	805 km (500 mi)
Maximum speed	2208 km/h (1372 mph)
Wing area	30 m² (322.9 sqft)
Wingspan	8.4 m (27.6 ft)
Height	4.5 m (14.8 ft)
Length	14.1 m (46.3 ft)
Service ceiling	15240 m (50000 ft)
Empty weight	5700 kg (12566 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	14000 kg (30865 lbs)
Climb rate	254.0 m/s (833.3 ft/s)
Powerplant	1 × turbojet Volvo RM12 delivering 5507 kgp, up to 8212 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Martin-Baker Mk 10