The JAS-39 Gripen: Sweden’s 4+ Generation Wild Card

South African JAS-39D
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As a neutral country with a long history of providing for its own defense against all comers, Sweden also has a long tradition of building excellent high-performance fighters with a distinctive look. From the long-serving Saab-35 Draken (“Dragon,” 1955-2005) to the Mach 2, canard-winged Saab-37 Viggen (“Thunderbolt,” 1971-2005), Swedish fighters have stressed short-field launch from dispersed/improvised air fields, world-class performance, and leading-edge design. This record of consistent project success is nothing short of amazing, especially for a country whose population over this period has ranged from 7-9 million people.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for background, news, and contract awards related to the JAS-39 Gripen (“Griffon”), a canard-winged successor to the Viggen and one of the world’s first 4+ generation fighters. Gripen remains the only lightweight 4+ generation fighter type in service, its performance and operational economics are both world-class, and it has become one of the most recognized fighter aircraft on the planet. Unfortunately for its builders, that recognition has come from its appearance in Saab and Volvo TV commercials, rather than from hoped-for levels of military export success. With its 4+ generation competitors clustered in the $60-120+ million range vs. the Gripen’s claimed $40-60 million, is there a light at the end of the tunnel for Sweden’s lightweight fighter?

JAS-39: The Gripen Program

Saab’s JAS-39A-D Gripens

Partnerships & Production

JAS-39 Gripen: The Way Forward

The Next Gripens: Industrial

Future Gripens?

Export Opportunities

JAS-39 Gripen: Major Events

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2009

2007

2006 and earlier

JAS-39 Gripen: Contracts & Awards

2012 – 2013

2010 – 2011

2008 – 2009

2007 and Earlier

Additional Readings & Sources

JAS-39 Gripen: The Platform

Export Competitions: Highlights

JAS-39 Gripen: Other News

“Could-have” weapons
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Hungarian JAS-39C/Ds
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The lion in winter…
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ES-05 Raven AESA
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Gripen Demo & JAS-39D
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JAS-39NG CAP(Combat Air Patrol) Concept
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Gripen Demo rollout
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Sea Gripen Concept
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Czech JAS-39C/Ds
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Gripen-F Demo
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Sea or Land attack
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Swiss takeoff
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Gripen Demo w.
IRIS-Ts, Meteors, GBU-10s
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Gripen Demo
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JAS-39D, Swiss arrival
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Gripen Demo
c. Gripen International
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Gripen w. “smokewinders”
c. Gripen International
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JAS-39 landing
c. Gripen International
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JAS-39N concept
(c) Gripen International
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JAS-39D & Swiss F/A-18
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Swedish JAS-39
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RTAF Gripens
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Gripen Demo rollout
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Gripen & S-1000
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MRP-39 on Gripen
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