Throwback Photos: JAS-39C Gripen Fighter Jet
With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, I’ve been trying to stay indoors. To kill the boredom, I’ve been spending my time restoring old photos at home.
Today, I’m sharing the JAS-39C Gripen fighter jet.
The JAS 39 "Gripen" is a fourth-generation fighter developed by the Swedish Saab Group. The JAS 39 is characterized by its multi-role capability and high adaptability, which relies on the combination of advanced technology and effective ergonomics. Its lightweight yet sturdy structure (incorporating 25% composite materials), delta wing design, artificially stabilized and all-weather fly-by-wire flight controls, RM12 engine (GE F404 variant) with afterburner, high-performance lightweight radar, and other systems are all integrated in a way that is suitable for pilot operation.The “JAS” in JAS-39 stands for Jakt (Air Combat), Attack (Ground Attack), and Spaning (Reconnaissance) in Swedish. As seen from the text above, the JAS 39 is a Multirole Aircraft capable of combat, attack, and reconnaissance. It is classified as a lightweight fighter, balancing range with operational flexibility, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. It is the aircraft selected by the Swedish Air Force to replace the Saab 37 Viggen.
The JAS-39 utilizes a close-coupled canard layout, combining canards (forewings) with a delta wing, inheriting the aerodynamic layout of the Saab 37 Viggen. The structure extensively uses composite materials. The main wing is a cropped delta wing equipped with leading-edge flaps and leading-edge sawtooths. The all-moving forewings are located on both sides of the rectangular air intake duct, and there is no horizontal tailplane. The leading-edge sweep angles of the wing and forewing are 45° and 43°, respectively. The aircraft is capable of supersonic flight at all altitudes and achieves maximum efficiency in short field takeoff and landing operations.
