Saab Gripen

What Is The Saab Gripen?

The Saab Gripen. Smart multirole fighter built in Sweden for short-runway dispersal, low operating cost, and fast turnaround.

Sweden

Origin

Multirole

Role

Mach 2.0

Top speed

15,240 m

Service ceiling

Saab Gripen Specifications

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a Swedish lightweight multirole fighter featuring delta-canard aerodynamics and low lifecycle costs. Driven by a Volvo RM12 or GE F414 turbofan hitting Mach 2.0, it is engineered for dispersed road-runway operations, fast turnaround times, and electronic attack.

Performance

Top speed

Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph)

Service ceiling

50,000 ft (15,240 m)

Combat radius

430 nmi (800 km)

Rate of climb

50,000+ ft/min (254 m/s)

Airframe

Crew

1

Length

46 ft 3 in (14.10 m)

Wingspan

27 ft 7 in (8.40 m)

Empty weight

14,990 lbs (6,800 kg)

Engine

1x Volvo RM12 (Gripen C/D)/General Electric F414-GE-39E (Gripen E) afterburning turbofan

Service

First flight

9 December 1988

Unit cost

$85 million

Operators

Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, Czech Republic, Hungary, Thailand

What Weapons Does The Saab Gripen Carry?

The Saab Gripen is equipped with an internal 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and eight hardpoints carrying 11,700 lbs of ordnance, deploying Meteor BVR missiles, IRIS-T, RBS-15 anti-ship, and GBU-39 SDBs.

Weapon

Category

Loadout

Range

Mauser BK-27

Category

27 mm Cannon

Loadout

1 internal cannon (120 rounds)

Range

1,800 metres (effective)

Meteor

Category

Beyond-Visual-Range Missile

Loadout

Up to 7 missiles

Range

200 km (124 miles)

IRIS-T

Category

Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile

Loadout

Up to 4 missiles

Range

25 km (15.5 miles)

RBS-15

Category

Anti-Ship Missile

Loadout

Up to 4 missiles

Range

250 km (155 miles)

GBU-49

Category

Precision-Guided Bomb

Loadout

Up to 4 bombs

Range

Gravity released

Taurus KEPD 350

Category

Stand-Off Cruise Missile

Loadout

Up to 2 missiles

Range

500 km (311 miles)

Category

Loadout

Range

Category

Loadout

Range

Category

Loadout

Range

Category

Loadout

Range

Category

Loadout

Range

Saab Gripen

How Fast Is The Saab Gripen?

The Gripen reaches Mach 2.0, around 1,372 mph, and the E variant can supercruise at Mach 1.1. Its real distinction is operating cost: independent analyses have repeatedly found it the cheapest modern fighter per flight hour, roughly a third of some competitors. It can be refuelled and rearmed in ten minutes by five conscripts and one technician.

Saab Gripen

How Was The Saab Gripen Developed?

Sweden required a single aircraft to replace the Viggen across fighter, attack and reconnaissance roles – the JAS designation stands for exactly those three. Saab first flew the Gripen on 9 December 1988. The programme suffered two high-profile crashes caused by flight control software, both corrected. The much-upgraded Gripen E flew in 2017.

Saab Gripen

Has The Saab Gripen Seen Combat?

Swedish Gripens have not seen combat. South African aircraft have flown border patrol missions, Czech and Hungarian examples conduct Baltic air policing, and Thai Gripens have been used operationally in regional disputes.

Who Operates The Saab Gripen?

Sweden, Czechia, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand and Brazil operate the Gripen, with Brazil assembling the E variant domestically. Sweden's NATO accession has raised interest from several additional European nations.

Saab Gripen FAQs

Common questions about the Saab Gripen, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.

Can I fly in the Saab Gripen as a civilian?

No, the Saab Gripen is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.

Can I take the controls of the Saab Gripen?

No, you cannot take the controls of the Saab Gripen, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.

How much does a flight in the Saab Gripen cost?

The Saab Gripen is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.

Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the Saab Gripen?

The Saab Gripen is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.

How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Saab Gripen?

The Saab Gripen is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.

How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Saab Gripen?

The Saab Gripen is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.

Saab Gripen

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