Saab JAS 39 Gripen
Photo from Navejic's Photos
The Royal Swedish Air Force entered the world of high agility multi-role fighter aircraft when their protype of the Gripen or Griffin in English flew in the late eighties. The Gripen is similar yet slightly smaller than the next generation of fighters appearing in the US and Western Europe ie: the F-22, the Rafale, and the Eurofighter. The Gripen symbolizes a small power's ability to design, build, and use their own technology and industry to construct a first rate combat aircraft. The Gripen certainly is an incredible machine. Well known car maker Saab built the plane while the engines (similar to those in the F/A-18) were assembled by Volvo, Ericson Radar Electronics and FFV Aerotect also played their parts. The designation JAS refers to the Gripen's true multi-role capability, J for Jakt or Fighter, A for Attack, and S for Spanning or Reconaissance. Gripens are designed to operate from Swedens highways as the Swedish government recognizes the advantages of dispersing its fighters to remote locations in a time of war. Gripens are currently replacing all Drakens and Viggens in Sweden's inventory. The Gripen shows how even a small country can have its own indigenous fighter even in the days of the 90's when costs have soared to incredible levels.
Specifications
(Data for JAS 39)
Origin: Saab-Scania Military Aircraft Division, Sweden
Type: Light Fighter/Bomber/Recon
Crew: Pilot
Powerplant: One General Electric/Volvo Flygmotor RM12 (F404J) afterburning turbofan delivering 8 172 kg (18 000 lbs) of thrust without the burner
Dimensions
Span: 8.4 m (27' 7")
Height: 4.5 m (14' 9")
Length: 14.1 m (46' 3")
Maximum Loaded Weight: 12 512 kg (27 560 lbs)
Performance
Maximum Speed: 2 126 kph (1 321 mph)
Cruising Speed:
Climb Rate:
Range:
Service Ceiling: 15 000 m (50 000 feet)
Armament
One Mauser BK27 27 mm cannon & up to 6 506 kg (14 330 lbs) of ordnance including wingtip mounted RB74 (AIM-9L) AAMs, AIM-120, and Sky Flash AAMs can also be carried. A wide variety of Aitr-to-surface munitions can also be carried including RB15F/RB75 AGMs and free fall, and EW pods.
First Flight: December 9, 1988
User(s):Royal Swedish Air Force
Production: 140 Single Seat, 25 Two seat trainers, 5 Single Seat Prototypes
Unit Cost: ?
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