The design evolved by Saab for the JAS 39 Gripen incorporates many advanced features. The Gripen is a single-seat (or two-seat), single-engined, fly-by-wire, delta-winged aircraft with a close-coupled all-flying canard. It is designed to operate from Sweden's network of BAS 90 dispersed roadstrip airfields with the minimum of support. To minimise weight, almost thirty per cent of the structure is carbon-fibre composite. The engine chosen is the proven General Electric F404-400, similar to that used on the F/A-18, fed by fixed rectangular side intakes. It is assembled by Volvo Flygmotor under the designation RM12. The engine is fitted with a new Volvo/GE designed afterburner to give the Gripen all-altitude supersonic performance. Unlike the Viggen there is no thrust reverser, as short-field landing performance is achieved by rotating the canard through almost 90 degrees to aid aerodynamic braking. The triplex digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system controls the aircraft through two canards, the leading edge flaps and four elevon control surfaces. Saab claims the Gripen is the first inherently unstable canard fighter to enter production.
JAS 39C/D aircraft incorporate a number of systems and equipment improvements to improve effectiveness and inter-operability. These include a retractable inflight-refuelling probe on the port air intake, full colour English-language cockpit displays in Imperial units, new central computers, night-vision compatible cockpit lighting, a FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) pod, a reconnaissance pod, a more powerful air conditioning system, an OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generation System) and strengthened wings with NATO-standard stores pylons. The first examples will be delivered to F7 wing in mid 2004 .
Ordered by Sweden , Czech Republic , hungary and south africa .
Gripen came a close second to the F-16 in Poland, but was unable to overcome a specially tailored financial package and heavy political pressure from the US government. A hotly tipped sale to Austria was missed when the Austrian government decided to maximise the economic benefits of using the same fighter aircraft as neighbouring Germany - the Eurofighter Typhoon. Despite these setbacks, the prospects for future exports still looks extremely good. Several countries require a replacement for ageing MiG-21, Mirage or F-5 aircraft and the Gripen is ideal for this role.
ADVANTAGE
1) true 4.5 gen aircraft
2) can take off and land on road
3) has shown supercruising ability
4) smaller aircraft than other fighters of its class
DISADVANTAGE
1) can carry less load as compared to other 4.5 gen aircrafts .
2) AESA radar not until around 2013 .
3) a bit overpriced ?
what do you guys say about it , comparing it to other jets like f-16 block 50 and above , j-10 , rafale , mki , and mig -35 .
