JAS39A

This page is about the Swedish jet fighter JAS39A. For other versions, see SAAB 39 Gripen (Family).

JAS39A

JA37DI

JAS39C

JAS39A

JA37DI

JAS39C

Sweden

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
13.0	13.0	13.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:410 000

Purchase:1 100 000

Show in game

Description

The JAS39A Gripen is a Swedish multirole fighter that entered service in 1996 to replace the aging JA37D and AJS37 for the Swedish air force. The JAS39A is developed by SAAB and was designed to carry out tasks such as defending Swedish airspace, engaging with hostile ground targets, and reconnaissance missions.

The JAS39A was introduced in Update "Air Superiority" as top rank jet fighter for Sweden, able to fight toe to toe with MiG-29s and F-16s on more even terms than the preceding JA37D. The JAS39A can be equipped with different types of anti-air missiles for air engagements, but also does come with different bomb loadouts making it able to be used in a ground supporting role, giving it a multirole ability to engage a variety of enemies. The JAS39A handles differently than its predecessor JA37D, but will be more similar to the F-16 that some may be used to.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 11 000 m2 240 km/h

Turn time24 s

Max altitude14 500 m

EngineSvenska Flygmotor RM12

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight60 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at 11,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,175	2,138	14500	24.1	24.1	207.3	194.7	500
Upgraded	2,306	2,240		23.9	24.0	285.8	245.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	X	X	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1,470	620	-	-	-	~12	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 519	< 700	< 1,470	-

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Svenska Flygmotor RM12		1	6,865 kg		307 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Gross Weight
Weight (each)	Type		9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	32m fuel
1,054 kg	Afterburning low-bypass turbofan		7,567 kg	8,308 kg	9,032 kg	9,205 kg	13,906 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	32m fuel	MGW
Stationary	5,100 kgf	7,528 kgf	0.99	0.91	0.83	0.82	0.54
Optimal	5,100 kgf (0 km/h)	10,918 kgf (1,250 km/h)	1.44	1.31	1.21	1.19	0.79

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear620 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 931 → 4 428

RB8 459 → 12 781

SB9 961 → 15 051

Total cost of modifications323 000

497 000

Talisman cost3 200

Crew training310 000

Experts1 100 000

Aces3 600

Research Aces1 350 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 320 / 500 %

256 / 256 / 256 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 New boosters Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 Wings repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 Engine Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 850	Fuselage repair Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 Airframe Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 Cover Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470	Flares/Chaff Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 akan_85_belt_pack Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 m/71 Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 RB 74 Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 LITENING II Research: 9 000 Cost: 14 000 380 Flares/Chaff BOL Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 Mk82 Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 RB71 Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 GBU-12 Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 510 G-suit Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 akan_85_new_gun Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 m/70 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 RB 74(M) Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 RB 74(M) Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 GBU-16 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 470 EFS Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 850 40px RB75 Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 850 40px RB 75T Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 850 GBU-24 Research: 20 000 Cost: 31 000 850

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)	Lead indicator

Offensive armament

The JAS39A is armed with:

• 1 x 27 mm Akan m/85 cannon, belly-mounted (120 rpg)
• 80 x large calibre countermeasures

Suspended armament

The JAS39A can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
120 kg m/71 bombs		4	4			4	4
277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs		1†	1†			1†	1†
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs		2	2			2	2
500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs		2	2			2	2
957 kg GBU-10 Paveway II bombs			1†			1†
1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs		1†	1†			1†	1†
2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III bombs			1†			1†
psrak m/70 rockets		6	6			6	6
RB71 missiles		1	1			1	1
RB 74 missiles	1	1*	1*			1*	1*	1
RB 74(M) missiles	1	1*	1*			1*	1*	1
RB 75 missiles		1	1			1	1
Countermeasures		160*	160*			160*	160*
LITENING II targeting pod				1†
1,100 l drop tanks			1		1	1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,250 kg
* Countermeasures can be equipped with RB 74 missiles on the same hardpoint † LITENING II pod must be equipped when equipping guided bombs

Default weapon presets

3 x 1,100 l drop tanks 2 x RB 74 missiles 6 x RB 74 missiles 6 x RB 74 missiles + 640 x countermeasures 6 x RB 74(M) missiles 6 x RB 74(M) missiles + 640 x countermeasures 4 x RB71 missiles 640 x countermeasures 24 x psrak m/70 rockets 4 x RB 75 missiles 16 x 120 kg m/71 bombs (1,920 kg total) 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total) 16 x 120 kg m/71 bombs (1,920 kg total) 8 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (4,000 lb total) 4 x 277 kg GBU-12 Paveway II bombs (1,108 kg total) 4 x 1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs (4,368 lb total) 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III bombs (4,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Gripens needs to be played in one way which is very different from all the other top-tier jets. The JAS39A has an underwhelming radar-guided missile out of all its opponents, meaning it will not play ever in BVR engagements, since it will always end up loosing. Instead, the Gripen shines in the furballs, where the chaos prevents anyone from being totally aware of its surroundings. There, it can use its two best assets: the RB 74(M) (a Swedish Version of the AIM-9M ) and the nearly-unlimited flares loadout the plane can carry. When approaching the danger zone, activate the automatic countermeasure release, set to cycle 1 sec with 0.5 sec between each release and 2 releases per cycle. You have about 4:30 minutes of pure adrenaline before you run out of flares (using flares and chaff should half the time, but sticking to the deck makes radar-guided missiles easily dodgeable). Now the player can pay less (not none) attention to their surroundings and focus on launching the RB 74(M) missiles. Do not focus too much on one target, lock on with radar so the missile won't go for the flares during the lock-on phase and prefer targets that are showing you their side: this way even if they flare the missile will be less likely to notice the flares at all. The Gripen is also a good dogfighter, use the air brake until you get into the 700-850 km/h, that way you will pull like a monster.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High speed; good acceleration gets you back in the fight after losing speed in turns or climbs
• Extreme manoeuvrability - currently possibly the most agile fighter in the game, outturns even F-16s!
• High amount of countermeasures available; a total of 720 when carrying four BOL rails on the wings
• Well balanced loadouts available, ranging from dumb bombs and rockets to F&F AGMs and laser guided bombs
• Helmet mounted sight lets the pilot slew both IR missile seekers as well as the radar onto off-bore targets
• Access to very competitive RB74(M) missiles which are highly resistant to flares

Cons:

• Prone to tear off wings at high speed; its high agility may result in over-G breaking the plane apart with reckless manoeuvring
• Mediocre radar missiles; very short range compared to the AIM-7Ms and R-27ERs carried by contemporaries
• Low ammo count for a relatively rapid firing cannon
• Canard-delta design combined with its tiny size means that any hit is likely to cause critical damage to your flight surfaces

History

In the late 1970s, Sweden sought to replace its aging Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen. The Swedish Air Force required an affordable Mach 2 aircraft with good short-field performance for a defensive dispersed basing plan in the event of invasion; the plan included 800 m long by 17 m wide rudimentary runways that were part of the Bas 90 system. One goal was for the aircraft to be smaller than the Viggen while equalling or improving on its payload-range characteristics. Early proposals included the Saab 38, also called B3LA, intended as an attack aircraft and trainer, and the A 20, a development of the Viggen that would have capabilities as a fighter, attack and sea reconnaissance aircraft. Several foreign designs were also studied, including the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the Northrop F-20 Tigershark and the Dassault Mirage 2000. Ultimately, the Swedish government opted for a new fighter to be developed by Saab.

In 1979, the government began a study calling for a versatile platform capable of "JAS", standing for Jakt (air-to-air), Attack (air-to-surface), and Spaning (reconnaissance), indicating a multirole, or swingrole, fighter aircraft that could fulfill multiple roles during the same mission. Several Saab designs were reviewed, the most promising being "Project 2105" (redesignated "Project 2108" and, later, "Project 2110"), recommended to the government by the Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets Materielverk, or FMV). In 1980, Industrigruppen JAS (IG JAS, "JAS Industry Group") was established as a joint venture by Saab-Scania, LM Ericsson, Svenska Radioaktiebolaget, Volvo Flygmotor and Försvarets Fabriksverk, the industrial arm of the Swedish armed forces.

The preferred aircraft was a single-engine, lightweight single-seater, embracing fly-by-wire technology, canards, and an aerodynamically unstable design. The powerplant selected was the Volvo-Flygmotor RM12, a licence-built derivative of the General Electric F404−400; engine development priorities were weight reduction and lowering component count. On 30 June 1982, with approval from the Riksdag, the FMV issued contracts worth SEK 25.7 billion to Saab, covering five prototypes and an initial batch of 30 production aircraft. By January 1983, a Viggen was converted to a flying test aircraft for the JAS 39's intended avionics, such as the fly-by-wire controls. The JAS 39 received the name Gripen (griffin) via a public competition, which is the heraldry on Saab's logo.

During the late 90s, Sweden also acquired American AIM 120 (or Rb99 as they were called in Sweden), so a small modification was added that let the Gripen be able to handle the Fox 3 missiles, the same system was later integrated in the JA37 which made the JA37D, a modernised fighter which were able to use the Rb99

Media

Videos

The Shooting Range #390 - Metal Beasts section at 00:25 discusses the JAS39A.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Swedish Aeroplane Company Ltd. (SAAB)
	Pre-SAAB: SA / ASJA
SA 'Jaktfalken'	J6B
SAAB 17	B17A · B17B · S17BS
SAAB 18	B18A · B18B · T18B · T18B (57)
SAAB 21	J21A-1 · J21A-2 · A21A-3 · J21RA · A21RB
SAAB 29 'Tunnan'	J29A · A29B · J29D · J29F
SAAB 32 'Lansen'	J32B · A32A · A32A Röd Adam
SAAB 35 'Draken'	J35A · J35D
SAAB 37 'Viggen'	JA37C · JA37D · JA37DI · JA37DI F21 · AJ37 · AJS37
SAAB 39 'Gripen'	JAS39A · JAS39C
SAAB 105	SK60B · SAAB-105G
License Production	B3C (Ju 86K)
Export	SAAB-105OE · J35XS · ▄JAS39C · ◔JAS39EBS HU C

Sweden jet aircraft
Fighters	J21RA
	J29A · A29B · J29D · J29F
	J32B
	J34
	J35A · J35D
	JA37C · JA37D · JA37DI · JA37DI F21
	JAS39A · JAS39C
Strike aircraft	A21RB
	A32A · A32A Röd Adam
	A28B
	AJ37 · AJS37
	SK60B · SAAB-105G
Export	SAAB-105OE
Finland	▄Vampire FB 52A · ▄MiG-21bis · Saab J35XS