Key Points and Summary – The Swedish JAS 39 Gripen is arguably one of the world’s most underrated fourth-generation-plus fighter jets.
-Designed by Saab, the Gripen is not only fast (Mach 2) and highly capable, with advanced AESA radar and a powerful weapons payload including Meteor missiles, but it’s also remarkably affordable.
-It is significantly cheaper to buy and fly than an F-35 and is built for easy maintenance and rapid turnaround from short, dispersed runways.
-This gives it a high operational tempo, crucial for its new NATO air policing role against Russian aircraft.
Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen Is Fast, Capable, and Affordable
You wanted it and we delivered. I’m referring to the top speed of an airplane that is one of the most underrated and unknown fighter jets in the world: Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen. This airplane could be the fastest of its class – clocking in at a blistering MACH 2 or 1,534 miles per hour.
This speed varies according to the mission that the Gripen is undertaking at any given time.
The JAS 39 may sometimes knife through the air at a maximum velocity of just over MACH 2 or under MACH 2, approximately ranging from MACH 1.8 to MACH 2.2. But overall, this is one quick fighter jet.
This Homegrown Fighter Is Built to Impress
The Gripen is a single-engine multirole fighter made by Saab Aerospace. This is Sweden’s pride and joy. It has a diverse mission profile including air defense, interception of enemy fighters, close-in aerial combat, and ground and sea strike.
Keep the Russians Out of Friendly Air Space
Since Sweden is now a NATO member, JAS 39 Gripens have an essential mission to execute. Air policing of sovereign territory is more significant than ever to keep pesky Russian fighters and bombers out of Swedish and allied airspace. Russia loves to make a show of force repeatedly to bully its neighbors and to send a message that it has the best fleet in Europe. Airplanes like the Gripen must take a stand, and this Swedish hot rod is built to deliver.
It Would Take Many Bombing Missions to Eliminate All Gripens
One aspect of the Gripen’s tactical and operational traits is how the airplane is dispersed around the country for easier coverage of airspace. These fighters are not based at a centralized air installation; they are housed in small units in various locations. The Gripen can be scrambled easily to meet threats to its territory. This means that it would be more difficult to destroy in large numbers if there is an enemy bombing run.
The Gripen is an advanced fourth-generation warbird, but I consider it a fourth-generation “+” airplane. It is that good and flies regularly to help keep Sweden and other countries in Europe safe.
It can take off on short and unimproved runways. Another redeeming quality is the ease of maintenance. The jet is designed for ground crews to use simple, basic training and be able to turn around the Gripen to launch a new mission quickly. This high operational tempo is another advantage when it comes to potential combat. It can be refueled and ready to go back in the air in as little as 20 minutes.
Good, American-Made Engine
A single General Electric F414 turbofan engine powers the Gripen. It has excellent climbing ability and a high thrust-to-weight ratio. This adds to the ability for the Gripen to conduct a broad range of maneuvers. The Gripen can hit supercruise without afterburners, which is a good way to save fuel and increase range to around 930 miles. There is a newer cooling system and the ability to increase air flow to enable that enviable speed.
Look Out for These Beastly Munitions
The Gripen’s weapons payload is excellent. “Air supremacy is achieved by carrying up to seven Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles and two Within Visual Range IRIS-T missiles. Weapons like these, combined with the ability to use offensive and defensive means simultaneously, enable the Gripen to detect, engage, and suppress or destroy targets effectively,” according to Saab.
That’s not all. The Gripen can also carry Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and ground strike AGM-65 Mavericks, plus an anti-ship missile called the RBS-15.
The Gripen accomplishes outstanding attack parameters and situational awareness with AESA radar and a “Skyward-G” Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system to sniff out enemy fighters from their thermal emissions. Plus, there is an electronic warfare suite for jamming and countermeasures to spoof enemy air defenses.
The Gripen is pilot-friendly with artificial intelligence in the cockpit and wide-angle displays that make it a dream to fly. The software can be updated regularly. This adapts the airplane for new mission sets and gives it operational superiority when conducting after-action reviews post-mission. Sensor fusion is enabled with the central processing unit. This is all upgradable when new technology becomes available.
The JAS 39 price is affordable at $85 million, which is cheaper than an F-35 at $100 million. This works out to a cost per flying hour of $5,800, again more cost-effective than the Lightning II.
Saab has many international partners that fly the Gripen. Brazil, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and Thailand deploy the warbird. The interoperability and ease of maintenance make it perfect for developing nations to fly. Ground crews quickly adapt to the Gripen and can handle the software system with minimal training.
The JAS 39 is a fast airplane and can maneuver with the best of them. It has the important air policing mission down pat. Avionics, sensors, and weapons payload are impressive. The airplane is cheaper to purchase and fly than the F-35. I love the multirole aspect for a diverse mission set.
This airplane can provide a significant boost to an air force, serving as a featured jet to enhance military strength. Don’t forget this fighter, it could be coming to more countries in the future, and will remain a jewel for the Swedish government.
About the Author: Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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