Meet the Saab JAS-39E Gripen: The World's Most Powerful Fighter Jet (You Never Heard Of)

Meet the Saab JAS-39E Gripen: The World's Most Powerful Fighter Jet (You Never Heard Of)

In late January, the Saab JAS-39E Gripen arrived in Finland, for its flight evaluation as part of the “HX Challenge,” Finland’s search, for its next fighter aircraft to augment, and slowly replace its fleet of F/A-18C/D Hornets.

Saab’s offering, as some commentators have remarked, is the last “eurocanard” to be evaluated in the HX program. It also comes “bundled” with the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, which Saab markets as a force multiplier for the Gripen.

The complete systems, maintenance, and aircraft package that the Saab is selling has many potential bonuses, for its potential selection as the HX aircraft, since Finland is looking for substantial domestic repair capability, and possible technology transfer.

If more systems are sold, it could mean more technology is transferred, leading to further potential development of Finnish industry.

Despite the requirement in the HX program, Finnish industry seems pretty lukewarm to the idea, of producing Gripen parts domestically. However, Saab has pushed the idea pretty hard, stating that some Patria plants could even produce, and overhaul engines domestically.

Another interesting aspect of the Gripen offer is, the inclusion of dedicated electronic warfare pods in addition to the Gripen’s already supposedly formidable on-board jamming capabilities. This, in Saab’s words, is “probably the most advanced EW suite” carried by a fighter, which would make the Gripen a considerable asset for Suppression or Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD/DEAD) missions. However, Boeing is including a dedicated and proven electronic warfare aircraft, the EA-18G Growler in its HX program bid, so the JAS-39, while possibly formidable is outclassed in that aspect.

Видео Meet the Saab JAS-39E Gripen: The World's Most Powerful Fighter Jet (You Never Heard Of) канала HBB Defense Military