Saab JAS 39 Gripen

Saab JAS 39 Gripen 

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight, single-engine, multirole fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. It was first flown in 1988 and entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1997. The Gripen is designed to be highly maneuverable and to have a low radar signature, making it difficult to detect. It is also equipped with advanced avionics and weapon systems, making it capable of engaging a wide range of targets. One of its unique features is its delta wing design, which improves its agility and maneuverability. Additionally, the Gripen has a smaller size than many other fighters, which allows it to operate from smaller airfields and to be more easily transported by air or sea.

History

The development of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen began in the 1980s as a replacement for Sweden's aging fleet of Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen fighters. The first prototype of the Gripen, designated the JAS 39A, made its maiden flight on December 9, 1988. After a series of successful test flights and evaluations, the Swedish Air Force placed an initial order for the aircraft in 1991, and the Gripen entered service with the air force in 1997.

The Gripen has undergone several upgrades since its introduction. The JAS 39B and JAS 39C variants, also known as the Gripen NG or Gripen E/F, feature improved avionics, weapons systems, and engines, and have been ordered by several countries, including Sweden, South Africa, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Brazil.

In addition to its use by the Swedish Air Force, the Gripen has been exported to several other countries, including South Africa, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Thailand, and it has been used in a number of military exercises and operations, including in the Balkans and Afghanistan.

In recent years, Saab has also developed a naval variant of the Gripen, known as the Sea Gripen, which is designed for use on aircraft carriers and other naval ships. This variant of the aircraft has not yet entered service with any navy.

Cost price

The cost price of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen varies depending on the variant, the number of aircraft being procured, and the specific configuration and equipment of each aircraft.

As per some publicly available data, the cost of JAS 39 Gripen E/F (also known as Gripen NG) is around $85 million to $125 million per unit, depending on the configuration and the number of aircraft being procured. However, this cost can vary depending on the specific requirements of the customer and the terms of the contract.

It's important to note that the cost of a fighter jet is not only the unit price but also the cost of maintenance, upgrades, weapons and ammunition, logistics, training, and other related expenses.

It's also worth noting that the cost of a fighter jet can vary greatly depending on the country, as some governments offer subsidies or financing arrangements that can significantly reduce the overall cost of procurement.

Conflicts

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a multirole fighter aircraft that has been used in a number of conflicts around the world. Some notable examples include:

The Gripen was used by the Swedish Air Force during the Kosovo War in 1999, where it conducted air-to-ground attack and reconnaissance missions.

The Gripen was also used by the Czech Air Force during the Iraq War in 2003, where it conducted reconnaissance and air-to-ground attack missions.

The Gripen has also been used by the Brazilian Air Force in the ongoing conflict in the Amazon region, where it has been used for border surveillance and counter-insurgency operations.

The Gripen NG has been used by the Swedish Airforce in different exercises, for example in the Baltic Air Policing and other NATO exercises.

It's worth noting that the Gripen has not been involved in any major conflict or direct combat and it has not been used in any direct combat till date.

Fuel capacity

The fuel capacity of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen varies depending on the variant of the aircraft, but generally ranges between 3,300 and 4,300 liters (870 to 1,140 gallons).

The JAS 39A has a fuel capacity of 3,300 liters (870 gallons), while the JAS 39B, JAS 39C and JAS 39D, also known as Gripen NG or Gripen E/F, has a fuel capacity of 4,300 liters (1,140 gallons).

The fuel is stored in tanks in the fuselage and in wing-mounted drop tanks, which can be jettisoned if necessary. The aircraft also has an in-flight refueling capability, which allows it to refuel in mid-air and extend its range and endurance.

It's important to note that the fuel capacity is not the only factor that determines the range and endurance of the aircraft. The Gripen has a highly efficient engine, advanced avionics and aerodynamics, which help it to maximize its range and endurance.

Versions

There are several versions of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen that have been developed and produced over the years:

JAS 39A: The original version of the Gripen, which entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996.

JAS 39B: A two-seat version of the Gripen, which entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 2000.

JAS 39C: An updated version of the Gripen, which entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 2003. It features improved avionics, radar, and weapons systems, as well as an increased maximum take-off weight.

JAS 39D: A further updated version of the Gripen, which entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 2008. It features improved avionics, radar, and weapons systems, as well as an increased maximum take-off weight.

JAS 39E: The latest and most advanced version of the Gripen, which features an improved avionics, radar, and weapons systems, as well as an increased maximum take-off weight.

Gripen NG (Next Generation) : The Gripen NG is a further development of the Gripen E, it features more advanced avionics, radar, and weapons systems, as well as an increased maximum take-off weight. It also has a longer range and endurance.

All these versions of the Gripen have been developed to meet the specific requirements of different air forces and to improve the aircraft's capabilities in different areas. The Gripen NG is in service with a few countries and many more are showing interest in procuring the aircraft.

Properties:

Physical Properties:

Length: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)

Wingspan: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)

Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)

Empty weight: 6,800 kg (15,000 lb)

Maximum takeoff weight: 16,500 kg (36,400 lb)

Engine: One Volvo RM12 afterburning turbofan

Performance Properties:

Speed

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen has a maximum speed of around Mach 2, which is equal to 2,470 km/h (1,530 mph) or about 1,500 mph. This makes it one of the fastest aircraft in its class and able to outrun most of the other fighters in the world. The Gripen E and Gripen NG, newer versions of the Gripen, have even better performance, including a higher maximum speed, due to the new avionics and the more powerful engine. The Gripen can fly at high subsonic speeds and supersonic speeds, which makes it ideal for air-to-air combat and air defense missions.

Range

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen has a combat range of around 1,300 km (810 mi) and an endurance of around 3 hours. This means that it can fly for a distance of 1,300 km (810 mi) and stay in the air for 3 hours before needing to refuel. The Gripen is designed to have a long range and to be able to operate in a wide area. It has a low operating cost and a low fuel consumption. The Gripen E and Gripen NG are more advanced versions of the Gripen and they have a longer range and endurance due to the more powerful engine and the more efficient avionics. The Gripen E has a range of around 3,000km and endurance of around 4 hours and Gripen NG has a range of around 3,430km and endurance of around 4 hours.

Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)

Combat radius: 1,300 km (810 mi)

Endurance: 3 hours

Armament Properties:

Air-to-air missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder, MBDA Meteor, R-73, IRIS-T

Air-to-ground missiles: AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-84 Harpoon, Brimstone, Storm Shadow/SCALP

Bomb: Paveway series, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-49 Paveway II

Cannon: 27 mm Mauser BK-27

Avionics Properties:

Glass cockpit

Digital terrain-following radar

Electronic warfare suite

Infrared search and track system

Data-link

Helmet-mounted display and sight

Role Properties:

Air-to-air combat

Air-to-ground attack

Reconnaissance

Electronic warfare

Air defense

Close air support

Maritime strike

Interception

Aerial reconnaissance

The Gripen NG and Gripen E have even more advanced avionics and armament properties, allowing them to perform an even wider range of roles.