Gripen' Is Swedish for 'Griffin', Or 'Gryphon', a Mythological Creature with the Body and Tail of a Lion and the Head, Wings and Talons of an Eagle
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Text by Divan Muller 'Gripen' is Swedish for 'griffin', or 'gryphon', a mythological creature with the body and tail of a lion and the head, wings and talons of an eagle. This image is an appropriate analogy for the Swedish fighter's famed multi-role capability. Bearing in mind that the Gripen is currently competing with Boeing's Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin's Lightning II for Canada's FFCP (Future Fighter Capability Project), let us take a brief look at the history of this Swedish fighter. For most of the Cold War, which lasted from the late 1940s to The first Saab JAS 39 Gripen, as it was named, completed its 1991, Sweden's skies were defended by Saab's groundbreaking maiden flight on 9 December 1988, after an eighteen month D raken (Dragon) and Viggen (Thunderbolt) fighters. delay, caused by problems with the flight control system. However, in the r97os, Sweden realized the time had come to Over the next few years, two aircraft were lost as a result of find a multi-role replacement for its venerable delta-winged flight control problems, but these issues were resolved with fighters. After evaluating several foreign options, the decision modifications to the aircraft's fly-by-wire software. was made to develop an indigenous aircraft. In 1980, an industrial consortium, called 'Industrigruppen JAs' was formed In 1993, the first G ripen A entered service with the Swedish to develop and manufacture Sweden's new fourth generation Air Force. It was a small, lightweight fighter, weighing fighter, which would be known as the 'JAS 39'. ']As' stood considerably less than an American single-engined F-16 for 'Jakt' (fighter), 'Attack' and 'Spanning' (reconnaissance), Fighting Falcon. The Gripen's small size resulted in illustrating the objective to create a true multi-role aircraft. several advantages, including a smaller radar cross section The consortium consisted of several Swedish corporations, on enemy radar, as well as more affordable purchase and including Saab and Volvo Vlygmotor. H owever, all the running costs. It was powered by a Volvo Aero RM- 12 corporations except Volvo were later either bought out or afterburning turbojet engine, essentially a highly modified merged into Saab. Swedish version of General Electric's F404J, which was used in F/A-18 Hornets. During landings, large canards weapons than its predecessors. It is also equipped with highly served as airbrakes, obviating the need for thrust reversers. sophisticated sensors and electronic warfare suite. The climate-controlled and pressurized cockpit was equipped with three large multi-function displays (MFDs), At the moment, Gripens are operated by six countries: a wide angle head-up display (Hun), hands on throttle and Brazil, Czech Republic, H ungary, South Africa, Sweden stick (HOTAS) controls and a 'zero-zero' (zero altitude, zero and Thailand. That said, the Empire Test Pilots' School in speed) Martin Baker ejector seat. The aircraft's fly-by-wire England became the first foreign operator of Gripens when it control system had triple redundancy with an analogue received its Gripen D in 1999. Due to geopolitical instability backup system. A powerful Ferranti-Eriksson radar, a around the world, there has never been as much interest tactical information datalink system, mission computers and in the Gripen as today. With this aircraft, Saab is offering the ability to carry a wide array of weapons all contributed an advanced, highly capable, modern and comparatively to allowing the Gripen to operate as a true multi-role inexpensive alternative to European and American aircraft. fighter. A two-seater variant, intended for special missions Little wonder that dozens of countries have expressed and tactical weapons, as well as conversion training, was interest in acquiring the Swedish fighter. The Gripen E in introduced as the Gripen B. To accommodate the additional particular would appear particularly attractive to countries crew member, the fuselage was lengthened by about 70 cm, considering the more expensive Lockheed F -35. In 2013, the while the internal cannon was removed. Other than that, Gripen became the first fighter type to test fire a Meteor the 'B' was a fully combat capable variant. BVRAAM (beyond visual range air-to-air missile). The fact that the Gripen has the ability to fire this weapon makes it a Saab then introduced the Gripen C, which featured improved considerably more capable weapons' platform. 0 avionics, more modern navigation and electronic warfare systems, in-flight refuelling capability, more computing power, Specifications and comparisons with the Lockheed Martin an improved engine and compatibility with NATO (North F-35A Lightning II and Boeing F/A-r8E Super Hornet: Atlantic Treaty Organization) systems and weapons' platforms. Saab also introduced the Gripen D, which was effectively a Gripen E F-3sA F/A-18E two-seater variant of the C. Length: 15.2 m r5.7 m 18.4 m Wingspan: 8.6 m 10.7 m r3.7 m In May 2016, Saab unveiled the Gripen E, a development of Max. TIO weight: 16 500 kg 31 800 kg 30 ooo kg the Gripen NG (Next Generation) programme. This newest Max. speed: Mach 2 Mach r.6+ Mach r.6 variant, as with its two-seater equivalent, the Gripen F, is Thrust: 22 ooo lbs 43 ooo lbs zx 22 ooo lbs larger, more powerful, able to fly further and carry more Hardpoints: IO 8 II .