Key Points and Summary – Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen is a top 4.5-gen fighter, with the new E-variant boasting a powerful GE F414G engine capable of Mach 2 and supercruise.
-While its single-engine design is considered a “significant weak point” compared to twin-engine rivals like the Rafale and Su-35 in terms of thrust and range, this is not a “dealbreaker.”
JAS 39 Gripen Flying in Formation.
-The Gripen compensates with advanced avionics, low operational costs, and high reliability, making it a major export success for nations like Brazil and, reportedly, Ukraine.
The JAS 39 Gripen Is A Real Rocket Fighter
The JAS 39 Gripen is currently one of Sweden’s premier fighter jets.
Manufactured by Saab AB to replace the Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen, the JAS 39 is a single-seat, single-engine multi-role fighter designed to fulfill a wide variety of missions.
When creating the Gripen, the designers wanted an aircraft that was versatile, affordable, and fitted with advanced technology.
The Gripen has recently experienced success in the international market due to its reliability. One factor contributing to its overall reliability is its power plant.
The JAS 39 features a single-engine layout but still delivers respectable performance thanks to its aerodynamic design.
The JAS 39 Gripen’s Engine Performance
The engine powering the Gripen varies by variant. The earlier models (A/B/C/D) use the Volvo RM12, a Swedish-built derivative of the General Electric F404 engine.
This afterburning turbofan is known for its reliability and ease of maintenance. The newer Gripen E/F models are equipped with the General Electric F414G engine, a more powerful version of the F414 used in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The F414G delivers up to 22,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s performance, especially in terms of acceleration and sustained supersonic flight.
In terms of speed, the Gripen is capable of reaching Mach 2.0, which translates to approximately 2,470 km/h (1,535 mph) at altitude.
The Gripen E variant benefits from supercruise capability, allowing it to fly at supersonic speeds without engaging afterburners.
JAS 39 Gripen E. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
This feature offers tactical advantages such as reduced fuel consumption and lower infrared signature, making the aircraft harder to detect.
The Gripen C has a combat radius of around 800 kilometers, while the Gripen E extends this to 1,500 kilometers due to its larger fuel capacity and more efficient engine.
The Gripen’s powerplant and wing configuration also make the aircraft exceptionally nimble. Its canard-delta wing configuration provides excellent lift and maneuverability, especially in close combat scenarios.
The aircraft is designed for high-angle-of-attack performance and rapid roll rates, making it a formidable dogfighter. It also features a fly-by-wire control system that enhances stability and responsiveness.
Is the Single-Engine Layout a Weakness on the Gripen?
There is an argument to be made that Gripen’s single-engine configuration is one of its most significant weak points.
Single-engine layouts often fall short of those offered by twin-engine aircraft.
Aircraft like the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon provide better performance in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio, and both have a significantly better combat range. The Russian Su-35, which the Gripen will likely face in combat in the future, also features a higher top speed, thrust-to-weight ratio, and combat range.
The single-engine configuration is not a dealbreaker with the Gripen.
JAS 39 Gripen Fighter From Sweden. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
While it may not match the performance of many twin-engine layouts, other single-engine aircraft like the F-16 and F-35 have performed just fine in combat conditions.
The Gripen makes up for this discrepancy with its relatively lower cost per unit compared to other advanced fighters on the market.
It is simply important to note that while the JAS 39 excels in some areas, it makes compromises in others.
Development and Design
The Gripen first flew in 1988 and entered service in 1996. Since then, it has evolved through several variants.
The original Gripen A and B models were single- and two-seat versions, respectively. These were followed by the Gripen C and D, which introduced NATO compatibility, in-flight refueling capability, and improved avionics.
The most recent iteration is the Gripen E/F, also known as Gripen NG (Next Generation), which features a more powerful engine, enhanced radar systems, increased payload capacity, and extended range.
The JAS 39’s performance is also boosted by its sophisticated avionics. The Gripen E is equipped with the Raven ES-05 AESA radar, which offers long-range detection, tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The aircraft also includes a sophisticated electronic warfare suite for jamming and deception, as well as a Swedish-developed Tactical Information Data Link System (TIDLS) that allows real-time data sharing between Gripens.
The cockpit is modern and intuitive, featuring a glass cockpit with wide-area displays, voice control, and hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls, enabling pilots to manage complex missions with ease.
An International Success
The Gripen is compatible with a wide array of weapons. For air-to-air combat, it can carry missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T, and Meteor, the latter being one of the most advanced beyond-visual-range missiles in service.
For air-to-ground missions, it can deploy laser-guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and various smart munitions.
It also supports anti-ship missiles such as the RBS-15 and can be equipped with reconnaissance and electronic warfare pods.
An internal 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon provides close-range firepower. The Gripen E can carry up to 7 tons of payload across 10 hardpoints, allowing for a flexible mix of weapons and fuel tanks.
The Gripen has been adopted by several countries, including Sweden, Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, and, apparently, Ukraine.
Brazil’s acquisition of the Gripen E/F includes local production and technology transfer, making it a key partner in the program.
The aircraft’s modular design and open architecture enable easy upgrades and the integration of new systems, ensuring its relevance for decades to come.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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