JA37D
| This page is about the Swedish jet fighter JA37D. For other versions, see SAAB 37 Viggen (Family). |
Contents
Description
The JA37D is an improvement made over the JA37C, the aircraft received improved avionics, electronic countermeasures in the form of external pods and navigation systems. The cockpit was also modernized. The JA37D retained the same PS 46/A radar from the JA37C, but received the ability to carry the RB 99 missile, which is the Swedish designation of the AIM-120AMRAAM, allowing the aircraft to serve until the JAS 39 Gripen was available.
It was introduced in Update "Apex Predators". The JA37D Viggen plays very simmilarly to its predecessor, but it now has access to the RB 74, which is the Swedish designation for the AIM-9L, having access to a very capable short-medium range IR missile gives the Viggen the ability to fight at high altitudes and launch missiles to enemies below, however if this tactic is employed be aware of enemy radar missiles. The flight performance stays the same, with the JA37D being an aircraft with a below average acceleration and poor top speed, but with a good turning radius thanks to its delta wing configuration.
General info
Flight performance
| 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 | 1,923 | 1,877 | 14500 | 26.1 | 26.3 | 168.4 | 157.8 | 500 |
| Upgraded | 2,062 | 1,998 | 23.9 | 25.0 | 234.1 | 200.0 | ||
Details
| Features | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute | Thrust reversal |
| X | X | ✓ | ✓ | X | X | ✓* |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1,536 | 620 | - | - | 400 | ~13 | ~3 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 865 | < 700 | < 520 | - |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | |||||
| Svenska Flygmotor RM8B | 1 | 12,315 kg | 334 kg/m2 | |||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Gross Weight | ||||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 14m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 45m fuel | 48m fuel | ||
| 2,350 kg | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan | 13,635 kg | 14,119 kg | 15,021 kg | 16,374 kg | 16,715 kg | 19,716 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP) | |||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 14m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 45m fuel | 48m fuel | MGW |
| Stationary | 6,800 kgf | 11,290 kgf | 0.83 | 0.80 | 0.75 | 0.69 | 0.68 | 0.57 |
| Optimal | 6,800 kgf (0 km/h) |
16,377 kgf (1,250 km/h) |
1.20 | 1.16 | 1.09 | 1.00 | 0.98 | 0.83 |
Survivability and armour
The JA37D, being mainly used for fighter-interceptor purposes, is not equipped with any sort of armour plating against ammunition. While a hit at close range has a high probability of damaging the control systems, a hit from a further distance will probably not cause any considerable damage to the aforementioned controls, however, the fuel tank above the engine does pose a great vulnerability when being fired upon. As a result of the fuel tanks' placement, a fire is a constant threat. Apart from the fuel tanks, the large ailerons are an easy target, and losing a single one will result in loss of control over the aircraft.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
| Ballistic Computer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCIP (Guns) | CCIP (Rockets) | CCIP (Bombs) | CCRP (Bombs) | Lead indicator |
 |
|
 |
|
|
Offensive armament
The JA37D is armed with:
- A choice between two presets:
- 1 x 30 mm Akan m/75 cannon, belly-mounted (150 rpg) + 48 x large calibre countermeasures
- 1 x 30 mm Akan m/75 cannon + 48 x large calibre countermeasures + 320 x countermeasures
Suspended armament
The JA37D can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| psrak m/70 rockets | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||
| RB24J missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| RB71 missiles | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| RB 74 missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1,250 l drop tanks | 1 |
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
| |
Usage in battles
The JA37D is a highly manoeuvrable aircraft and outperforms most jets in its class, especially at lower altitudes (< 3,000 m). At higher altitudes, the Viggen remains manoeuvrable but, due to its delta-canard configuration, it is prone to losing speed and energy rather fast. This however does not pose much of an issue thanks to the aircraft's effective engine and high rate of acceleration at speeds above 700 km/h and aerodynamics.
In the case of a close range dogfight, you should avoid using AAMs and instead opt for the aircraft's cannon, taking advantage of its high muzzle velocity.
If an enemy positions themselves directly behind you, do not hesitate to use your airbrakes as these are very effective in defensive manoeuvres to regain control of the engagement.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Large amount of countermeasures
- Can carry a drop tank extending the plane's range
- Good acceleration
- Can carry highly manoeuvrable missiles, such as the all-aspect RB74 (Swedish license-built AIM-9L) with a 30G maximum overload
- Equipped with a ballistic lead indicator to assist with gun aiming
Cons:
- Very limited ammo supply with only 150 rounds
- No bombs or guided air-to-ground missiles
- The afterburner's fuel consumption is overwhelmingly fast
History
The JA37D Viggen is an improved variant of the original JA37 Jaktviggen fighter-interceptor, The D variant of the Viggen first began its production in 1993 and served the Swedish airforce until 2006, with its last flight being in December 2007 during a special air show for the Swedish Air Force. The JA37D features improved, avionics, software systems of the previous JA37C, as a modernization for the ageing airframes.
However one of the main changes for the D variant, were the compatibility to equip and use the Rb 99 Air-To-Air Missile (Swedish designation for the AIM-120 AMRAAM). It could also be equipped with a external ECM pod designated as the "Störkapsel U95".[1][2] This allowed it to serve until the late 2000s, before being completely replaced by the more advanced JAS 39 Gripen jet fighter.
Media
- Skins
- Images
JA37D taking off from airstrip on the Denmark test flight map
Interior view of the JA37D cockpit
Interior cockpit instruments view inside the JA37D cockpit
JA37D Thunder God camouflage
See also
External links
| 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 |
