Difference between revisions of "JAS39C"

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(Added History, Pros and cons, also written usage in battles based on spading the plane and using it alot.)
(Reviewed content, major edits and formatting fixes, edited history to be less dramatic and more straight-forward)
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
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<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
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The Jas-39C is the crown jewel of the British Aviation tech tree, sitting at one whole Battle Rating above any and all other planes. It is the most capable fighter, ground striker, dogfighter and interceptor out of the British tree, and one of the most capable planes in game, thanks to its amazing manoeuvrability, low speed flight characteristics and suite of ordinance. While it can use a combination of IR missiles, radar missiles, guided bombs and AGMs, it does not feature more than 4 fully customizable hardpoints, along with the 2x Aim-9Ms from the wingtips. this means that you can have one radar missile, one IR missile with Countermeasures pod, one guided bomb and one AGM, ontop of fuel and a LITENING II targetting pod. The ability to take such custom loadouts makes this plane very versatile and suitable for a large number of roles in Air to Air combat and Air to Ground combat.
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The {{PAGENAME}} is the crown jewel of the British Aviation tech tree, sitting at one whole Battle Rating above any and all other planes. It is the most capable fighter, ground striker, dogfighter and interceptor out of the British tree, and one of the most capable planes in game, thanks to its amazing manoeuvrability, low speed flight characteristics and suite of ordinance. While it can use a combination of IR missiles, radar missiles, guided bombs and AGMs, it does not feature more than 4 fully customizable hardpoints, along with the 2x AIM-9Ms from the wingtips. this means that you can have one radar missile, one IR missile with Countermeasures pod, one guided bomb and one AGM, ontop of fuel and a LITENING II targetting pod. The ability to take such custom loadouts makes this plane very versatile and suitable for a large number of roles in Air-to-Air combat and Air-to-Ground combat.
  
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--Air Realistic battles:
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;Air Realistic battles:
  
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This plane should carry 6 missiles. 2x Wingtip Aim-9M which should always be carried. on the remaining 4 hardpoints the Jas39 can take any combination of Aim-9M, Aim-9M on Countermeasure pods (which is strongly preferred over the Aim-9M with no countermeasure pods), and Skyflash Radar missiles. do note that the Skyflash missiles, while capable when used correctly, are not as good as the competition. Each Aim-9M is increasing the number of small countermeasures by x160 with each pylon. therefore, you should always include atleast one Aim-9M with a CM pod on the 4 pylons, so you can more than double the amount of countermeasures. The best combination is decided by the user. However you should always include Atleast one Aim-9M or one Skyflash, so you can have a good number of countermeasures, and be able to engage targets further than the Aim-9M can.  
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This plane should carry 6 missiles. Two wingtip AIM-9M which should always be carried. On the remaining 4 hardpoints, the {{PAGENAME}} can take any combination of AIM-9M, AIM-9M on Countermeasure pods (which is strongly preferred over the AIM-9M with no countermeasure pods), and Skyflash Radar missiles. Do note that the Skyflash missiles, while capable when used correctly, are not as good as the competition. Each AI<-9M is increasing the number of small countermeasures by x160 with each pylon. therefore, you should always include at least one Aim-9M with a CM pod on the 4 pylons, so you can more than double the amount of countermeasures. The best combination is decided by the user. However you should always include at least one AIM-9M or one Skyflash, so you can have a good number of countermeasures, and be able to engage targets further than the AIM-9M can.  
  
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The Gripen is a very fuel efficient plane. You can fly it extra light at minimum fuel (9 minutes) along with the fuel pod if you do not plan to afterburn all the way to the middle of the map. This fuel loadout ensures you are the lightest possible, while giving you enough fighting time. you can always drop the fuel tank to become insanely nimble, however you should not drop below 2 minutes of fuel. You can get back to base with around 1 minute if you climb, keep your speed and start from high speed from the middle of the map, however 2 minutes insures you can also defend yourself in case anyone chases you. You can take any combination of fuel + fuel pod, however you should not have more than 30 minutes of total fuel. Flight performance suffers with more than 25minutes of total fuel.
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The Gripen is a very fuel efficient plane. You can fly it extra light at minimum fuel (9 minutes) along with the fuel pod if you do not plan to afterburn all the way to the middle of the map. This fuel loadout ensures you are the lightest possible, while giving you enough fighting time. You can always drop the fuel tank to become insanely nimble, however you should not drop below 2 minutes of fuel. You can get back to base with around 1 minute if you climb, keep your speed and start from high speed from the middle of the map, however 2 minutes insures you can also defend yourself in case anyone chases you. You can take any combination of fuel + fuel pod, however you should not have more than 30 minutes of total fuel. Flight performance suffers with more than 25 minutes of total fuel.
  
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>It should be noted that the Gripen, as a very small fighter with an efficient engine is a very cold target compared to dual engine fighters that can fight against it, giving enemies a very hard time locking IR missiles on it, and making it very easy to defend against IR missiles.
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It should be noted that the Gripen, as a very small fighter with an efficient engine is a very cold target compared to dual-engine fighters that can fight against it, giving enemies a very hard time locking IR missiles on it, and making it very easy to defend against IR missiles.
  
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>fuel pod has a total of 14minutes and 32 seconds of fuel.
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The Gripen can be used in multiple ways:
  
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The Gripen, then can be used in multiple ways.
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* Furball Fighter - Taking a full load of 6x AIM-9M missiles and countermeasures. Periodic flares can be used this way along with the relatively cold engine of the Gripen, making you almost invulnerable to IR missiles. This however means than you want to be as light as possible, so taking minimum fuel and dropping the fuel pod as you enter the fight is very crucial. You should then target enemies that are not spamming flares. If the AIM-9M has at least 2-3 seconds of flight without seeing one flare, it is pretty much a guaranteed to hit. You can also take one Skyflash missile to guarantee you a hit head-on if used at the right time. Using your HMD is crucial in this situation.
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* Interceptor - This involves taking one to three Skyflash missiles and trying to pick off targets in headons, or climbing targets at a maximum of 8-11 km range depending on altitudes. It is a very strong a well rounded loadout. You should keep your speed with this loadout, and try to play in more of a support role.  
  
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* Furball Fighter - Taking a full load of 6x Aim-9M missiles and countermeasures. periodic flares can be used this way along with the relatively cold engine of the Gripen, making you almost invulnerable to IR missiles. This however means than you want to be as light as possible, so taking minimum fuel and dropping the fuel pod as you enter the fight is very crucial. You should then target enemies that are not spamming flares. if the Aim-9M has atleast 2-3 seconds of flight without seing one flare, it is pretty much a guaranteed to hit.You can also take one Skyflash missile to guarantee you a headon kill if used at the right time. Using your HMD is crucial in this situation.
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The Gripen is one of, if not the best, Air Realistic Planes due to its low heat signature, low fuel consumption, HMD, and strong IR missiles, However this does not mean it is not as good in:
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* Interceptor - This involves taking one to three Skyflash missiles and trying to pick off targets in headons, or climbing targets at a maximum of 8-11km range depending on altitudes. It is a very strong a well rounded loadout. You should keep your speed with this loadout, and try to play in more of a support role.
 
  
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The gripen is one of if not the best Air Realistic Planes due to it's low head signature, low fuel consumption, HMD, and strong IR missiles, However this does not mean it is not as good in;
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;Ground Realistic Battles:
  
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--Ground Realistic Battles:
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The Gripen has access to a good variety of guided munitions. You can chose between using GBU-12s, GBU-16s and GBU-24s (only on the inner-most pylons) and AGM-65B's which can all be guided with the LITENING II targetting pod. One of the best Targetting pods in war thunder, with good thermal sight resolution. This gives the Gripen the ability to take out any ground target effectively, and still be able to engage enemy Air due to its wingtip AIM-9M missiles, which effectiveness is much greater in ground battles due to the AIM-9M's smokeless motors, meaning it is effectively invisible as it approaches the target so the enemy may not be able to pop countermeasures soon enough to wave it off.
  
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The Gripen has access to a good variety of guided munitions. You can chose between using GBU-12s, GBU-16s and GBU-24s (only on the inner-most pylons) and AGM-65B's which can all be guided with the LITENING II targetting pod. One of the best Targetting pods in war thunder, with good Thermal sight resolution. This gives the gripen the ability to take out any ground target effectively, and still be able to engage enemy Air due to it's 2x Wingtip missiles.
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When using this plane in GRB, taking one to two AGM's is a good idea, in order to take out enemy SPAA as quickly as possible. AGMs are preferred over GBUs due to their fire and forget nature, and higher speed.
  
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>Do note that the Aim-9M has a smokeless motor, and There are no missile indicators in GRB, making the Aim-9M effectively invisible and extremely lethal.
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Taking out enemy SPAA's such as the Pantsir-S1 is the first thing you should do when you spawn in. The AGMs should be fired from a maximum of 8 km, and if possible 6 km. If more than 5-10 seconds pass and you have not fired an AGM at an enemy SPAA, you should instantly dive while turning the other way. After going outside of the enemy SPAA range (18km max) you should sideclimb and get to a comfortable altitude. Try to take out the the enemy SPAA again with the AGMs. do note that they have higher range if fired from higher altitude.  
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When using this plane in GRB, taking one to two AGM's is a good idea, in order to take out enemy SPAA as quickly as possible. AGM's are preferred over GBU's due to their fire and forget nature, and higher speed.
 
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Taking out enemy SPAA's such as the Pantsir-S1 is the first thing you should do when you spawn in. The AGM's should be fired from a maximum of 8km, and if possible 6km. If More than 5-10 seconds pass and you have not fired an AGM at an enemy SPAA, you should instanly dive while turning the other way. After going outside of the enemy SPAA range (18km max) you should sideclimb and get to a comfortable altitude. Try to take out the the enemy SPAA again with the AGMs. do note that they have higher range if fired from higher altitude.  
 
  
 
After dealing with SPAA, You can start dropping GBU's, but you need to keep in mind that another SPAA can spawn in at any moment and lock you in the IRST mode, so you should always look at the ground, and always fly defensively if possible, putting objects or terrain between you and the enemy ground spawns, keeping your speed up or not flying into straight lines for too long.
 
After dealing with SPAA, You can start dropping GBU's, but you need to keep in mind that another SPAA can spawn in at any moment and lock you in the IRST mode, so you should always look at the ground, and always fly defensively if possible, putting objects or terrain between you and the enemy ground spawns, keeping your speed up or not flying into straight lines for too long.
  
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--Simulator Battles:
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;Simulator Battles:
  
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The Gripen is a very strong SIM plane. Tt gets access to a lot of countermeasures, smokeless missiles, making them quite invisible even if enemies look at you when you fire in the right conditions. You get access to a good HUD that gives good information, the HMD which is amazing in SIM, a targetting pod on it's own hardpoint, which is good for spotting, and a pretty good radar, with good search sectors, range and modes. TWS should be used rather than PD simple PD.  
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The Gripen is a very strong plane to use in simulator battles. It gets access to a lot of countermeasures, smokeless missiles, making them quite invisible even if enemies look at you when you fire in the right conditions. You get access to a good HUD that gives good information, the HMD which is amazing in SIM, a targetting pod on it's own hardpoint, which is good for spotting, and a pretty good radar, with good search sectors, range and modes. TWS should be used rather than PD simple PD.  
  
 
The only downside is that the gripen has a black line running in the middle of the glass canopy, effectively cutting your visibility when in a dogfight, and the fact that it only has access to 6 missiles.
 
The only downside is that the gripen has a black line running in the middle of the glass canopy, effectively cutting your visibility when in a dogfight, and the fact that it only has access to 6 missiles.
  
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It is one of the best SIM planes due to it's very stable canard design, Smokeless motors and HMD. Flight performance is a bonus.
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It is one of the best SIM planes due to its very stable canard design, smokeless motors and HMD. Flight performance is a bonus.
  
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The British variant of the Gripen is Identical to the Swedish Gripen, other than name and camos, and is one of if not the best plane in War Thunder As of the Update "Air Superiority" due to It's insanely good flight performance, good ordinance variety, strong Air to Air IR missiles and larget amount of countermeasures ontop of other smaller strenghts. It is a plane that has very high potential and can win any situation. This is not a plane that will limit the one who is piloting it.
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The British variant of the Gripen is identical to the Swedish Gripen, other than name and camouflages, and is one of if not the best plane in War Thunder As of the Update "Air Superiority" due to its insanely good flight performance, good ordinance variety, strong Air-to-Air IR missiles and large amount of countermeasures on top of other smaller strengths. It is a plane that has very high potential and can win any situation. This is not a plane that will limit the one who is piloting it.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
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Overall an Insanely good plane, that more than makes up for it's Cons with It's sheer number of Pros.
 
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
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* Missiles - Very capable Aim-9M missiles, which include a seeker shutoff IRCCM and smokeless motor.
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* Missiles - Very capable AIM-9M missiles, which include a seeker shutoff IRCCM and smokeless motor.
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* Flight performance - Extremely Nimble and capable plane, which can pull of one-of-a-kind manoeuvers.
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* Flight performance - Extremely nimble and capable plane, which can pull off one-of-a-kind manoeuvers.
 
* Ordinance - High variety of ordinance including GBUs, AGMs, Countermeasure pods and a good Targetting Pod.
 
* Ordinance - High variety of ordinance including GBUs, AGMs, Countermeasure pods and a good Targetting Pod.
 
* Engine - High performance, Low temperature, Efficient Engine making it hard to lock you, giving you long flight time and enough thrust.
 
* Engine - High performance, Low temperature, Efficient Engine making it hard to lock you, giving you long flight time and enough thrust.
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* Avionics - Access to HMD, a good radar, LOTS of countermeasures.
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* Avionics - Access to HMD, a good radar, lots of countermeasures.
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*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
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* Can take a maximum of 6 Missiles.  
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* Can only take a maximum of 6 missiles.  
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* AGM's are B variant.
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* AGMs are B variant.
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* Flight performance suffers Greatly if damaged
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* Flight performance suffers greatly if damaged
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* Radar ACM range of only 9km
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* Radar ACM range of only 9 km
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*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
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In the waning years of the 20th century, South Africa embarked on a transformative journey to rejuvenate its Air Force, leading to the pivotal acquisition of the JAS-39C Gripen fighter aircraft. This chapter in South African military aviation history is marked by strategic decisions, sophisticated technology, and the challenges of modern warfare, woven together in a narrative that underscores the nation's defense ambitions.
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In the late 1990s, South Africa found a need to replace its aging fleet of Mirage and Cheetah fighter jets. Looking to modernize their fleet for not only national defense, but for a better standing for their defense modernization and strategic autonomy in the global stage, South Africa sought options in the market under the Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA) program. The decision was made and announced in November 1998 that the Swedish-made Gripen has been chosen to fulfill the program's need, with 28 Gripens to be purchased at a price of 1.5 billion USD in 1999 (this would be changed to 26 Gripens in 2005). Alongside the purchase deal was South Africa's involvement with Saab's Industrial Participation programme, which enabled South Africa's local industries to help produce and maintain Gripen parts, such as Denel Aviation producing the rear fuselage sections of the Gripen.
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The backdrop to this story begins in the late 1990s, as South Africa found itself at a crossroads, needing to replace its aging fleet of Mirage and Cheetah fighter jets. The quest for a new multi-role fighter was not just about enhancing military capabilities but also about making a statement on the global stage regarding the country's defense modernization and strategic autonomy. After a comprehensive evaluation process, the South African government, in 1999, unveiled its choice—the Swedish-made Gripen, a decision that was as much about the aircraft's cutting-edge capabilities as it was about fostering a long-term partnership with Sweden.
 
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The Gripen deal, nestled within the larger Strategic Defence Package, promised to catapult the South African Air Force (SAAF) into a new era. The contract initially secured 26 of these state-of-the-art fighters, including both the single-seat JAS-39C and the two-seat JAS-39D variants. The introduction of the Gripen signified a significant leap forward, offering superior range, payload, and avionics compared to the aircraft they were set to replace.
 
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The journey from contract to combat readiness was marked by anticipation and meticulous planning. The first of these formidable fighters touched South African soil in April 2008, earmarked for the 2 Squadron at Air Force Base Makhado. By 2012, the full fleet had been delivered, marking the completion of a critical phase in the SAAF's modernization efforts.
 
  
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Operational deployment of the Gripen fleet encapsulates a blend of routine readiness and strategic deterrence. These aircraft have been integral in a variety of missions, from air superiority and ground attack to reconnaissance and maritime patrol. However, their operational story is also one of challenges, notably the budgetary constraints that have limited flying hours and affected deployment extents. Despite these hurdles, the Gripens have showcased their capabilities in numerous exercises and security operations, notably securing South African airspace during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, among other high-profile events.
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South Africa received their first Gripen in 2006. The aircraft, a two-seater Gripen-D, was sent to the Test Flight Development Centre in the Southern Cape for full testing and integration of South African avionics and weapons for the country. Once fully tested and handed over to the South African Air Force (SAAF) in 2008, deliveries of Gripens directly to the South African Air Force began in the same year. By 2011, 17 Gripen-Cs and 9 Gripen-Ds have been delivered to the SAAF and equipped the 2 Squadron, located at AFB Makhado in the Limpopo province.
  
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Yet, the tale of the Gripen in South Africa is not without its trials. Financial constraints have cast a shadow over the fleet's operational sustainability, sparking debates over the future path—whether through upgrades, additional acquisitions, or downsizing the fleet to better match fiscal realities.
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Although the Gripens have not yet been involved with any heavy fighting in South Africa, they have been integral to maintaining the country's air superiority. Gripens were deployed during several high-profile events in South Africa, such as during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to maintain airspace security and protection and in 2013 to escort Nelson Mandela's remains to his funeral processions and maintain no-fly zones during the funeral.  
  
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In the grand narrative of South African military aviation, the Gripen stands as a testament to the country's aspirations and the pragmatic challenges of modern defense. It represents a bridge between the legacy of the past and the possibilities of the future, embodying the SAAF's commitment to maintaining a capable and responsive air force. As the story unfolds, the Gripen fleet continues to be a cornerstone of South Africa's defense posture, ready to adapt and serve in an ever-evolving security landscape.
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However, financial constraints have cast a shadow over the fleet's operational sustainability, leading to a notable incident in September 2021 when the Gripens were grounded due to lack of funding and maintenance and support contracts not being renewed in time. This would be resolved by September 2022, enabling the Gripens to fly again, though concerns remain on the pilot readiness after a year of grounding.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==

Revision as of 09:48, 18 February 2024

VTOL | Rank 5 USA
AV-8A Harrier Pack
This page is about the British jet fighter JAS39C. For the other version, see JAS39A.
JAS39C
saab_jas39c_south_africa.png
GarageImage JAS39C.jpg
JAS39C
Britain flag.png Britain
VIII Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
12.7 12.7 12.7
Class:
Research:410 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:1 100 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

During the early 1980s, the South African Air Force (SAAF) was looking for a replacement for its aging Cheetah fleet, which was a locally upgraded version of the French Mirage III. The Cheetahs were subject to an arms embargo due to the apartheid regime, which limited their availability and effectiveness. In 1999, after a long and controversial procurement process, South Africa signed a contract with Saab for 26 Gripens (17 JAS39C and 9 JAS39D), becoming the first export customer of the type. The delivery of the South African Gripens started in 2008 and was completed in 2012. Since then, the South African Gripens have been involved in several operations, both at home and abroad. In 2010, they secured the airspace during the FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa. In 2013, they provided air support for South African peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and also participated in the funeral of Nelson Mandela, the former president and anti-apartheid leader. However, the South African Gripens have faced some challenges in their service, such as budget constraints, maintenance issues, and political controversies. Due to the high cost of operating the jets, the SAAF has limited their flying hours and reduced their operational readiness. The SAAF has also struggled to maintain the jets' spare parts and technical support, which have been affected by the corruption allegations against Saab. Furthermore, the Gripen deal has been criticized by some sectors of society as unnecessary and wasteful, especially in light of the country's social and economic problems. These issues became more evident when South Africa had to ground its fleet of Gripens in September 2021 due to budget cuts and maintenance problems, which led to concerns about the country's air defense capabilities.

The JAS39C Gripen was introduced in Update "Air Superiority". As the first South African jet in the tree, it proves worthy of its place due to its exceptional flight performance and loadout capabilities. It has a high-performance engine and a high thrust-to-weight ratio, which gives it excellent acceleration and climb rate, as well as superb agility and energy retention. It can also carry a variety of weapons, including guided bombs, AGM-65 Mavericks, and AIM-9M Sidewinders. However, its main drawback is its Skyflash radar missiles, which are inferior to other top-tier missiles in terms of range, speed, and manoeuvrability.

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 _,___ m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock ___ ___ 14500 __._ __._ __._ __._ ___
Upgraded ___ ___ __._ __._ __._ __._

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 696 → 4 421 Sl icon.png
RB7 782 → 12 762 Sl icon.png
SB9 164 → 15 028 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications309 000 Rp icon.png
472 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost3 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training310 000 Sl icon.png
Experts1 100 000 Sl icon.png
Aces3 600 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 350 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 320 / 500 % Sl icon.png
256 / 256 / 256 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
20 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
31 000 Sl icon.png
810 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
490 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods heli false thermal targets.png
Flares/Chaff
Research:
10 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
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akan_85_belt_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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AIM-9L
Research:
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Cost:
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LITENING II
Research:
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Cost:
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Flares/Chaff BOL
Research:
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Cost:
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Skyflash
Research:
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Cost:
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Mk82
Research:
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Cost:
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GBU-12
Research:
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Cost:
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G-suit
Research:
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Cost:
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akan_85_new_gun
Research:
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Cost:
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AIM-9M
Research:
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Cost:
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Mk83
Research:
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Cost:
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GBU-16
Research:
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Cost:
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EFS
Research:
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Cost:
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NVD
Research:
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Cost:
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AGM-65B
Research:
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Cost:
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GBU-24
Research:
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Cost:
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Armaments

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

Main article: Akan m/85 (27 mm)

The JAS39C is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

The JAS39C can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Hardpoints JAS39A.png
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†
1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs 1 1 1 1
1,092 lb GBU-16 Paveway II bombs 1† 1† 1† 1†
2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III bombs 1† 1†
AGM-65B missiles 1 1 1 1
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 1 1* 1* 1* 1* 1
AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles 1 1* 1* 1* 1* 1
Skyflash missiles 1 1 1 1
Countermeasures 160* 160* 160* 160*
LITENING II targeting pod 1†
1,100 l drop tanks 1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,250 kg
* Countermeasures can be equipped with AIM-9L/-9M missiles on the same hardpoint
† LITENING II pod must be equipped when equipping guided bombs
Default weapon presets
  • 1 x 1,100 l drop tank
  • 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles + 640 x countermeasures
  • 6 x AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles
  • 6 x AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles + 640 x countermeasures
  • 4 x Skyflash missiles
  • 640 x countermeasures
  • 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 8 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 4 x AGM-65B missiles
  • 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

The JAS39C is the crown jewel of the British Aviation tech tree, sitting at one whole Battle Rating above any and all other planes. It is the most capable fighter, ground striker, dogfighter and interceptor out of the British tree, and one of the most capable planes in game, thanks to its amazing manoeuvrability, low speed flight characteristics and suite of ordinance. While it can use a combination of IR missiles, radar missiles, guided bombs and AGMs, it does not feature more than 4 fully customizable hardpoints, along with the 2x AIM-9Ms from the wingtips. this means that you can have one radar missile, one IR missile with Countermeasures pod, one guided bomb and one AGM, ontop of fuel and a LITENING II targetting pod. The ability to take such custom loadouts makes this plane very versatile and suitable for a large number of roles in Air-to-Air combat and Air-to-Ground combat.

Air Realistic battles

This plane should carry 6 missiles. Two wingtip AIM-9M which should always be carried. On the remaining 4 hardpoints, the JAS39C can take any combination of AIM-9M, AIM-9M on Countermeasure pods (which is strongly preferred over the AIM-9M with no countermeasure pods), and Skyflash Radar missiles. Do note that the Skyflash missiles, while capable when used correctly, are not as good as the competition. Each AI<-9M is increasing the number of small countermeasures by x160 with each pylon. therefore, you should always include at least one Aim-9M with a CM pod on the 4 pylons, so you can more than double the amount of countermeasures. The best combination is decided by the user. However you should always include at least one AIM-9M or one Skyflash, so you can have a good number of countermeasures, and be able to engage targets further than the AIM-9M can.

The Gripen is a very fuel efficient plane. You can fly it extra light at minimum fuel (9 minutes) along with the fuel pod if you do not plan to afterburn all the way to the middle of the map. This fuel loadout ensures you are the lightest possible, while giving you enough fighting time. You can always drop the fuel tank to become insanely nimble, however you should not drop below 2 minutes of fuel. You can get back to base with around 1 minute if you climb, keep your speed and start from high speed from the middle of the map, however 2 minutes insures you can also defend yourself in case anyone chases you. You can take any combination of fuel + fuel pod, however you should not have more than 30 minutes of total fuel. Flight performance suffers with more than 25 minutes of total fuel.

It should be noted that the Gripen, as a very small fighter with an efficient engine is a very cold target compared to dual-engine fighters that can fight against it, giving enemies a very hard time locking IR missiles on it, and making it very easy to defend against IR missiles.

The Gripen can be used in multiple ways:

  • Furball Fighter - Taking a full load of 6x AIM-9M missiles and countermeasures. Periodic flares can be used this way along with the relatively cold engine of the Gripen, making you almost invulnerable to IR missiles. This however means than you want to be as light as possible, so taking minimum fuel and dropping the fuel pod as you enter the fight is very crucial. You should then target enemies that are not spamming flares. If the AIM-9M has at least 2-3 seconds of flight without seeing one flare, it is pretty much a guaranteed to hit. You can also take one Skyflash missile to guarantee you a hit head-on if used at the right time. Using your HMD is crucial in this situation.
  • Interceptor - This involves taking one to three Skyflash missiles and trying to pick off targets in headons, or climbing targets at a maximum of 8-11 km range depending on altitudes. It is a very strong a well rounded loadout. You should keep your speed with this loadout, and try to play in more of a support role.

The Gripen is one of, if not the best, Air Realistic Planes due to its low heat signature, low fuel consumption, HMD, and strong IR missiles, However this does not mean it is not as good in:

Ground Realistic Battles

The Gripen has access to a good variety of guided munitions. You can chose between using GBU-12s, GBU-16s and GBU-24s (only on the inner-most pylons) and AGM-65B's which can all be guided with the LITENING II targetting pod. One of the best Targetting pods in war thunder, with good thermal sight resolution. This gives the Gripen the ability to take out any ground target effectively, and still be able to engage enemy Air due to its wingtip AIM-9M missiles, which effectiveness is much greater in ground battles due to the AIM-9M's smokeless motors, meaning it is effectively invisible as it approaches the target so the enemy may not be able to pop countermeasures soon enough to wave it off.

When using this plane in GRB, taking one to two AGM's is a good idea, in order to take out enemy SPAA as quickly as possible. AGMs are preferred over GBUs due to their fire and forget nature, and higher speed.

Taking out enemy SPAA's such as the Pantsir-S1 is the first thing you should do when you spawn in. The AGMs should be fired from a maximum of 8 km, and if possible 6 km. If more than 5-10 seconds pass and you have not fired an AGM at an enemy SPAA, you should instantly dive while turning the other way. After going outside of the enemy SPAA range (18km max) you should sideclimb and get to a comfortable altitude. Try to take out the the enemy SPAA again with the AGMs. do note that they have higher range if fired from higher altitude.

After dealing with SPAA, You can start dropping GBU's, but you need to keep in mind that another SPAA can spawn in at any moment and lock you in the IRST mode, so you should always look at the ground, and always fly defensively if possible, putting objects or terrain between you and the enemy ground spawns, keeping your speed up or not flying into straight lines for too long.

Simulator Battles

The Gripen is a very strong plane to use in simulator battles. It gets access to a lot of countermeasures, smokeless missiles, making them quite invisible even if enemies look at you when you fire in the right conditions. You get access to a good HUD that gives good information, the HMD which is amazing in SIM, a targetting pod on it's own hardpoint, which is good for spotting, and a pretty good radar, with good search sectors, range and modes. TWS should be used rather than PD simple PD.

The only downside is that the gripen has a black line running in the middle of the glass canopy, effectively cutting your visibility when in a dogfight, and the fact that it only has access to 6 missiles.

It is one of the best SIM planes due to its very stable canard design, smokeless motors and HMD. Flight performance is a bonus.

The British variant of the Gripen is identical to the Swedish Gripen, other than name and camouflages, and is one of if not the best plane in War Thunder As of the Update "Air Superiority" due to its insanely good flight performance, good ordinance variety, strong Air-to-Air IR missiles and large amount of countermeasures on top of other smaller strengths. It is a plane that has very high potential and can win any situation. This is not a plane that will limit the one who is piloting it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Missiles - Very capable AIM-9M missiles, which include a seeker shutoff IRCCM and smokeless motor.
  • Flight performance - Extremely nimble and capable plane, which can pull off one-of-a-kind manoeuvers.
  • Ordinance - High variety of ordinance including GBUs, AGMs, Countermeasure pods and a good Targetting Pod.
  • Engine - High performance, Low temperature, Efficient Engine making it hard to lock you, giving you long flight time and enough thrust.
  • Avionics - Access to HMD, a good radar, lots of countermeasures.

Cons:

  • Can only take a maximum of 6 missiles.
  • AGMs are B variant.
  • Flight performance suffers greatly if damaged
  • Radar ACM range of only 9 km

History

In the late 1990s, South Africa found a need to replace its aging fleet of Mirage and Cheetah fighter jets. Looking to modernize their fleet for not only national defense, but for a better standing for their defense modernization and strategic autonomy in the global stage, South Africa sought options in the market under the Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA) program. The decision was made and announced in November 1998 that the Swedish-made Gripen has been chosen to fulfill the program's need, with 28 Gripens to be purchased at a price of 1.5 billion USD in 1999 (this would be changed to 26 Gripens in 2005). Alongside the purchase deal was South Africa's involvement with Saab's Industrial Participation programme, which enabled South Africa's local industries to help produce and maintain Gripen parts, such as Denel Aviation producing the rear fuselage sections of the Gripen.

South Africa received their first Gripen in 2006. The aircraft, a two-seater Gripen-D, was sent to the Test Flight Development Centre in the Southern Cape for full testing and integration of South African avionics and weapons for the country. Once fully tested and handed over to the South African Air Force (SAAF) in 2008, deliveries of Gripens directly to the South African Air Force began in the same year. By 2011, 17 Gripen-Cs and 9 Gripen-Ds have been delivered to the SAAF and equipped the 2 Squadron, located at AFB Makhado in the Limpopo province.

Although the Gripens have not yet been involved with any heavy fighting in South Africa, they have been integral to maintaining the country's air superiority. Gripens were deployed during several high-profile events in South Africa, such as during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to maintain airspace security and protection and in 2013 to escort Nelson Mandela's remains to his funeral processions and maintain no-fly zones during the funeral.

However, financial constraints have cast a shadow over the fleet's operational sustainability, leading to a notable incident in September 2021 when the Gripens were grounded due to lack of funding and maintenance and support contracts not being renewed in time. This would be resolved by September 2022, enabling the Gripens to fly again, though concerns remain on the pilot readiness after a year of grounding.

Media

Videos
The Shooting Range #390 - Metal Beasts section at 00:25 discusses the JAS39C.

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: ASJA  J6B
Fighters  J21A-1 · J21A-2 · A21A-3
Jet fighters  A21RB · J21RA · J29A · A29B · J29D · J29F · J32B · J35A · J35D · JA37C · JA37D · JAS39A
Jet attackers  A32A · A32A Röd Adam · AJ37 · AJS37 · SAAB-105G · SK60B
Bombers  B17A · B17B · S17BS
Dive-bombers  B3C · B18A · B18B · T18B · T18B (57)
Export  SAAB-105OE · Saab J35XS · JAS39C · ◔JAS39EBS HU C

Britain jet aircraft
Blackburn  Buccaneer S.1 · Buccaneer S.2 · Buccaneer S.2B
British Aerospace  Harrier GR.7 · Sea Harrier FRS.1 (e) · Sea Harrier FRS.1
British Aircraft Corporation  Strikemaster Mk.88
English Electric  Canberra B Mk 2 · Canberra B (I) Mk 6 · Lightning F.6 · Lightning F.53
Gloster  Meteor F Mk 3 · Sea Meteor F Mk 3 · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41F · Meteor F Mk 4 G.41G · Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K · Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper
  Javelin F.(A.W.) Mk.9
de Havilland  Vampire F.B.5 · Venom FB.4 · Sea Venom FAW 20 · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2
Hawker  Sea Hawk FGA.6 · Hunter F.1 · Hunter F.6 · Hunter FGA.9 · Harrier GR.1 · Harrier GR.3
Panavia  Tornado GR.1 · Tornado F.3
SEPECAT  Jaguar GR.1 · Jaguar GR.1A · Jaguar IS
Supermarine  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Foreign  Phantom FG.1 (USA) · Phantom FGR.2 (USA) · F-4J(UK) Phantom II (USA)
  JAS39C (Sweden)

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