The JA37C is a modification of a Swedish jet aircraft made to lengthen service life, as the replacement, the JAS 39 Gripen, was unfinished for service. The Viggen is a supersonic, double delta wing configuration interceptor aircraft. Let’s see how it flies out in War Thunder!
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to 6 missiles, 2 of which are Rb 71 radar-guided missiles | Fuel burn is poor with the afterburner; large amounts of fuel are required to stay airborne for a moderate amount of time |
| Large caliber countermeasures | Poor RWR making it difficult to identify threats |
| The aircraft can pull a lot of AOA | Bleeds energy a lot due to the delta wing configuration |
| Low stall speed | Acceleration is not great |
| PD radar at a BR where most planes have non-PD radars, and a radar gunsight | Cannon does not have a lot of ammo (150 rounds) |
Air-to-Air Weapon Systems
The aircraft is armed with four RB24J IR-guided missiles, along with two RB71 (Dogfight) radar-guided missiles.
The RB24Js are essentially equivalent to AIM-9Ps, which are the same as AIM-9Js except for the fact that they can be radar-slaved. This rear aspect missile pulls a maximum of 20Gs. It is recommended to launch it at ranges below 2-2.5km as their range is not exceptional.
Along with the RB24Js, the Viggen can utilize its RB71 (Dogfight) radar-guided missiles for dealing with enemies. These 25G radar missiles are best used at ranges of below 5-6km. The motor burns out quickly, meaning it does not have the best range. However, it does pull off the rail, meaning that closer-range shots such as 1.5-2km are possible. This can surprise enemies and prevent them from reacting in time to the missile.
Paired with the RB71s is an excellent radar. It has PD mode, which should be the main mode used. This allows pilots to lock onto planes at lower altitudes as ground clutter is less of an issue for this radar. TWS mode is another radar mode that can be used, however, it cannot be used to launch the Fox-1 radar missiles and is more useful for finding enemies.
The plane is also equipped with a 30mm Akan m/75 with 150 rounds. It is mounted below the center of the plane. It does not have any tracer rounds, making it rather tricky to aim, and it takes a while to get used to the gun’s ballistics. However, the plane does get access to a radar gunsight, meaning any plane that you lock onto with the radar will have a reticle showing you where to aim.
Optimal Loadout:
- 4x RB24J
- 2x RB71 (Dogfight)
- Belt: Air Targets
Flight Characteristics
The flight performance of the Viggen is subpar. Its acceleration isn’t great, and top speed is not exceptional. The JA37C bleeds a lot of speed in turns, so it’s best to stay out of dogfights with most planes. Even Phantoms, such as the F-4E and F-4F, can beat you in a fight. The engine guzzles fuel, so higher amounts of 35-40+ minutes of fuel are preferred if the afterburner is always engaged. All of this means that it is best to not attempt a dogfight with any enemy planes unless it’s a last resort. If you do find yourself in this situation, try to gun down the enemy as quickly as possible. The longer the fight goes on, the more of a disadvantage develops for the Viggen. If possible, have teammates/a squad mate nearby to help you out if the fight develops into a critical situation.
Should you find the enemy on your six with no allies nearby to help, the Viggen still has an ace up its sleeve: the speed bleed. This makes it easy to get enemies to overshoot. The speed bleed is also a double-edged sword; if they stick on your six, there isn’t a lot the Viggen can do when it is slow. It does have landing flaps, which allow the Viggen to pull some funny maneuvers at stall speeds. The best way out is to avoid a long turning engagement and try to disengage if possible. Keeping your speed in the Viggen is the best way to stay alive in fights.
Vertical fights are a big no-go for the Viggen, as it will lose a ludicrous amount of energy. Especially against planes such as the F-5E, which can easily energy trap you. When performing a turn, try to make a gradual one in order to keep your speed, unless it is to get onto someone’s six. Boom and zoom tactics are preferred with this aircraft, and flying in straight lines.
You should also avoid planes like the MiG-21bis, which have a lot of engine power that allows them to easily win in a dogfight against the Viggen.
The Viggen prefers situations where it can surprise enemies and relies upon that in order to perform at its fullest potential. Like the Swedish air force doctrine for the strike Viggen, get in, use your ordnance and get out. Avoid long confrontations where the airframe starts to show its weaknesses.
Survivability
The Viggen is equipped with 48x large caliber countermeasures. You can bring 24 flares and 24 chaff, or a mix of your choice. The aircraft is equipped with the APP-73 RWR. It has 4 directions in which it can detect radars, which each overlap each other.
For example, if the top 2 sectors are lighting up, that means someone is in direct front of you launching a missile. This RWR is rather primitive and should not be relied upon. Since it is not a digital RWR, pilots should rely on visual identification in order to see what enemy aircraft is launching radar missiles at them.
The aircraft takes damage rather poorly, and even minor hits on the plane can cause a lot of speed loss. It is recommended to return to the airfield as soon as this happens, as the aircraft will fall out of the air after a few turns.
Overall Gameplay Usage
The JA37C is an aircraft that should be used carefully. It has many weaknesses that can be easily exploited by other pilots. It is a jack of all trades, master of none type of fighter jet.
Fly this plane like a vulture, take out enemies that are slow, and then fly away. Watch out for planes such as the J-7E, as they will readily beat you in a dogfight. Mirage F1s are another danger, as their IRCCM missiles can be quite difficult to flare. These enemies should be priority targets and should be eliminated as soon as possible.
In a 1vMultiple enemy situation, do not dogfight anyone and try to isolate each enemy and pick them off one by one. In situations like this, pilots should use the radar gunsight + stealth belts to snipe enemies in head-ons to dwindle the numbers.
Viggen pilots should stick with their team and utilize its kit to pick off isolated enemies. Avoid large furballs where there are clumps of planes together, as the Viggen can easily become overwhelmed. The JA37C is overall a subpar aircraft, carried by its great kit.
In mixed battles, the Viggen isn’t meant for CAS. It only gets access to unguided rockets, so pilots should stick to focusing on enemy planes. The TWS mode is very helpful for this.
Miscellaneous
The most important modules to research when first unlocking this aircraft will be flares/chaff, then RB24, new boosters, RB24J, engine, RB 71, and then G-suit. Afterward, go for cannon upgrades then the rest of the flight performance mods.
Recommended fuel amount: 40 minutes + drop tank if preferred to afterburn all the time.
