Saab SAAB 340

Summary

Description

In the late 1970s, Sweden began seeking a replacement for its Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen aircraft. The Swedish Air Force required an affordable Mach 2 aircraft with good short-field performance for a defensive dispersed basing plan, known as the Bas 90 system, involving 800 m by 17 m rudimentary runways. The project, initiated in 1979, called for a versatile platform capable of Jakt (air-to-air), Attack (air-to-surface), and Spaning (reconnaissance) missions, abbreviated as "JAS". Several Saab designs were reviewed, with "Project 2105" (later "Project 2108" and "Project 2110") being recommended by the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). In 1980, Industrigruppen JAS (IG JAS) was established as a joint venture by Saab-Scania, LM Ericsson, Svenska Radioaktiebolaget, Volvo Flygmotor, and Försvarets Fabriksverk. The selected design was a single-engine, lightweight single-seater, incorporating fly-by-wire technology, canards, and an aerodynamically unstable design. The powerplant chosen was the Volvo-Flygmotor RM12, a licensed derivative of the General Electric F404−400. On June 30, 1982, with approval from the Riksdag, the FMV issued contracts to Saab covering five prototypes and an initial batch of 30 production aircraft. The first Gripen was rolled out on April 26, 1987, but the first flight was delayed until December 9, 1988, due to issues with the flight control system.

The Gripen is designed as a lightweight, agile aerial platform integrating advanced and highly adaptable avionics. Its canard control surfaces contribute positive lift at all speeds, enhancing maneuverability, while a delta wing compensates for negative lift produced by the rear stabilizer at high speeds, thereby reducing drag. The aircraft’s intentional instability is managed by digital fly-by-wire flight controls, removing flight restrictions, improving maneuverability, and reducing drag. The Gripen possesses good short takeoff performance, maintaining a high sink rate and strengthened to withstand stresses of short landings, and is fitted with retractable tricycle landing gear, featuring a double-wheeled nose gear and single main wheels. Air brakes located on the sides of the rear fuselage, coupled with downward angling canards, further aid in decreasing landing distance. It is also capable of flying at a 70–80 degrees angle of attack. Saab has designed the Gripen to have low maintenance requirements and to be flexible, enabling the integration of newly developed sensors, computers, and armaments.

The Gripen is compatible with a number of armaments and is capable of carrying up to 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) of assorted munitions and equipment. Beyond the aircraft's single 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon (omitted on the two-seat variants), the Gripen can deploy air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, air-to-ground missiles such as the AGM-65 Maverick, and anti-ship missiles such as the RBS-15. Upgrades such as the MS19 for the Swedish Air Force have enabled compatibility with additional weapons, including the MBDA Meteor missile, the IRIS-T missile, and the GBU-49 laser-guided bomb. Additionally, the aircraft can accommodate external sensor pods for reconnaissance and target designation, such as Rafael's LITENING targeting pod, Saab's Modular Reconnaissance Pod System, or Thales' Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod. The Gripen can also be equipped with BriteCloud expendable active jammers and Enhanced Survivability Technology Modular Self Protection Pods for defense.

The Gripen has seen operational use in several contexts. The Swedish Air Force deployed eight Gripens to support the UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya in 2011, flying over 650 combat missions and providing NATO with around 2,000 reconnaissance reports. The Czech Republic and Hungary have operated Gripens as part of their NATO commitments, enhancing their air defense capabilities.

Main Variants:

• Gripen A, or JAS 39A: This is the initial single-seat version that entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996.

• Gripen B, or JAS 39B: A two-seat variant of the 39A designed for training, specialized missions, and aircraft type conversion, distinguished by a lengthened airframe to accommodate the second crew member, life support systems, and the removal of the internal cannon and an internal fuel tank.

• Gripen C, or JAS 39C: This is a NATO-compatible single-seat version that boasts extended capabilities in terms of armament, electronics, and in-flight refuelling.

• Gripen D, or JAS 39D: A two-seat version of the JAS 39C that mirrors the alterations of the JAS 39B.

• Gripen E, or JAS 39E: This is a single-seat production version developed from the Gripen NG program, known for its enhanced capabilities and advanced features, with orders placed by Sweden and Brazil.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Pakistan	11
	Thailand	7
	Sweden	4
	Saudi Arabia	2

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Pakistan • Saudi Arabia • Sweden • Thailand