Country of origin |
Sweden |
Entered service |
1972 |
Crew |
1 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
16.4 m |
Wing span |
10.6
m |
Height |
5.9
m |
Weight (normal take off) |
15 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
17 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
1 x Volvo Flygmotor RM8B turbofan |
Traction (with afterburning) |
125.04 kN |
Maximum speed |
2 126 km/h |
Combat radius |
more than 1 000 km |
Armament |
Cannon |
1 x 30 mm Oerlikon KCA cannon |
Missiles |
up to 6 x Rb 71 (Sky Flash) or Rb 99 (AIM-120
AMRAAM) and Rb 24J (AIM-9J) or Rb 74 (AIM-9L) air-to-air missiles. For
secondary air-to-surface role it carries Rb 04E and Rb 15F anti-ship
missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, DWS 39 Mjolner SMDs |
Other |
M70 135 mm rockets |
|
Designed to
meet exacting Swedish requirements, the innovative SAAB 37 Viggen
(Thunderbolt) multi-role fighter was for many years the backbone of
Sweden's air defence, and today five of the Flygvapnet's front-line
Flottiljer continue to fly the type. The first Viggen prototype made
its maiden flight in 1967, and the initial production AJ 37 attack
fighter (108 built) flew in 1971. The other major variants comprised
27 SF 37s for all-weather overland reconnaissance, 28 SH 37s for
maritime reconnaissance and 17 Sk 37 operational conversion
trainers.
Between 1979 and 1990 the Flygvapnet received 149
second-generation JA 37s for the interception role. During
1993-1997 SAAB converted 48 AJ 37, 25 SF 37 and 25 SH 37s to AJS 37
standard to provide integrated attack, fighter and reconnaissance
capabilities. Funding problems restricted the upgrade and a common
standard was not achieved. Despite this programme, the attack/recce
Viggens were rapidly replaced by
JAS 39 Gripens and only one wing
(F21) operated these AJS 37s in 2001.
Meanwhile the JA 37 has been
kept continually up-to-date, with the most recent programme referred
to as the Mod D standard. This adds an updated PS46A radar and a new
weapons interface and stores management computer that enables the
use of
AIM-120 AMRAAMs. The first upgraded JA 37 was re-delivered in
1998. The JA 37 currently equips four wings, each with two
Divisionen (squadrons). Ten of the Flygvapnet's 14 surviving Sk 37
trainers have been converted into SK 37E Stor-Viggens (jammer
Viggens). These will be tasked with electronic warfare training for Sweden's armed
forces and operational EW support for Flygvapnet combat units as
well as type conversion for all future Viggen pilots. Electronic
warfare equipment
comprises various systems installed in the airframe, as well as
advanced U95 active jammer pods, U22/A jammer pods and KB chaff and
flare dispenser pods. The Viggens were finally replaced by the
Gripens in 2006.
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