JAS 39 Gripen: The ‘New’ NATO Jet That Makes Russia’s Air Force Sweat

JAS 39 Gripen: The ‘New’ NATO Jet That Makes Russia’s Air Force Sweat

There is much activity around the development and interest in Swedish Air Force fighter planes, among them the Saab 37 Viggen. Sweden, along with Scandinavian brother nation Finland, has made the momentous decision to join NATO. This, in turn, has unsurprisingly generated a new round interest in Swedish weapons systems and military capabilities, particularly the Viggen’s replacement, the JAS 39 Gripen.

Let’s take a further look at Sweden’s current entry into the air superiority race.

Go-Go Gripen

The JAS — standing for Jakt (air-to-air), Attack (air-to-surface), and Spaning (reconnaissance) — 39 Gripen (“griffin”), made her maiden flight on December 9, 1988, and officially entered into Swedish Air Force operational service on June 9, 1996; by 2005 she had completely replaced the Viggen. To date 271 have been built. The newer plane is also manufactured by the Saab Group (Svenska Aeroplan AktieBolag i.e. “Swedish Aeroplane Company Limited,” not to be confused with the now-defunct car company).

The Gripen is considered a 4th-Generation lightweight multirole fighter. “Lightweight” as in 14,991 pounds (6,800 kilograms) empty and 30,865 lb (14,000 kg) at max takeoff weight. These pounds/kilos are packed onto an airframe that’s 46.3 feet (14.1 meters) in length, 27.6 ft (8.4 m) in wingspan, and 14.8 ft (4.5 m) in height.