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JA37 Viggen Saab
JA37 Viggen
Multi-Role Fighter

DESCRIPTION:
The System 37 project was launched in 1960 to produce a family of short takeoff and landing aircraft to fly fighter (JA), attack (AJ), reconnaissance (SF,SH), and training (SK) missions. The last to be built, the JA, is a superb interceptor with a secondary ground attack capability. Although the Swedish requirements called for high standards in performance, sortie rates, and avionics, the Viggen has enjoyed great success. A total of 329 Viggens were built, and the J37 fleet is currently being updated to operate the weapons developed for the Gripen. However, the Gripen will begin to replace the Viggen force early in the 2000s.
Last modified 27 May 2000

HISTORY:

First Flight (AJ37) 8 February 1967
(SF37) 21 May 1973
(SH37) 10 December 1973
(JA37) 27 September 1974

Service Entry

(AJ37) 21 June 1971
(SF37) April 1977
(JA37) 1979

CREW: one: pilot

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length 53.81 ft (16.40 m)

Wingspan 34.77 ft (10.60 m)

Height 19.35 ft (5.90 m)

Wing Area 495 ft² (46.0 m²)

Canard Area

unknown

WEIGHTS:

Empty 26,000 lb (11,800 kg)

Normal Takeoff 33,070 lb (15,000 kg)

Max Takeoff 37,500 lb (17,000 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: unknown
external: unknown

Max Payload

13,000 lb (6,000 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant one Volvo Flygmotor RM8B afterburning turbofan

Thrust 16,200 lb (72.1 kN)
28,100 lb (125 kN) with afterburner

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) at 36,000 ft (10,975 m), Mach 2
at sea level: 840 mph (1,335 km/h), Mach 1.1

Initial Climb Rate 40,000 ft (12,200 m) / min

Service Ceiling 60,000 ft (18,300 m)

Range typical: 540 nm (1,000 km)
ferry: 1,080 nm (2,000 km)

g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:

Gun one 30-mm Oerlikon KCA cannon (150 rds)

Stations seven external hardpoints

Air-to-Air Missile AIM-9 Sidewinder (RB24), AIM-4 (RB27), Skyflash (RB71), RB74

Air-to-Surface Missile none

Bomb various bombs

Other rocket pods, ECM pods

KNOWN VARIANTS:

AJ37 Single-seat all-weather attack fighter; 110 built

JA37 Single-seat multi-role fighter; 149 built

SF37 Single-seat all-weather armed photo-reconnaissance model with modified nose containing cameras, infrared sensors, and ECM equipment; 26 built

SH37 Single-seat all-weather ocean surveillance model with search radar in nose; 26 built

AJS37 Designation applied to AJ37, SF37, and SH37 aircraft upgraded for air-defense, attack, and reconnaissance duties; about 115 converted

SK37 Two-seat combat-capable trainer; 18 built

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

none

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Sweden

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

JA37 Viggen

SOURCES:

Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 242, 272, 277-278, 301.

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 812-813.

FAS Viggen site

Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 238-240.

Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 148-149.

Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 182.

Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 202-203.

Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 91.

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DESCRIPTION: The System 37 project was launched in 1960 to produce a family of short takeoff and landing aircraft to fly fighter (JA), attack (AJ), reconnaissance (SF,SH), and training (SK) missions. The last to be built, the JA, is a superb interceptor with a secondary ground attack capability. Although the Swedish requirements called for high standards in performance, sortie rates, and avionics, the Viggen has enjoyed great success. A total of 329 Viggens were built, and the J37 fleet is currently being updated to operate the weapons developed for the Gripen. However, the Gripen will begin to replace the Viggen force early in the 2000s. Last modified 27 May 2000
HISTORY:
First Flight	(AJ37) 8 February 1967 (SF37) 21 May 1973 (SH37) 10 December 1973 (JA37) 27 September 1974
Service Entry	(AJ37) 21 June 1971 (SF37) April 1977 (JA37) 1979
CREW:	one: pilot
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	53.81 ft (16.40 m)
Wingspan	34.77 ft (10.60 m)
Height	19.35 ft (5.90 m)
Wing Area	495 ft² (46.0 m²)
Canard Area	unknown
WEIGHTS:
Empty	26,000 lb (11,800 kg)
Normal Takeoff	33,070 lb (15,000 kg)
Max Takeoff	37,500 lb (17,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: unknown external: unknown
Max Payload	13,000 lb (6,000 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	one Volvo Flygmotor RM8B afterburning turbofan
Thrust	16,200 lb (72.1 kN) 28,100 lb (125 kN) with afterburner
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) at 36,000 ft (10,975 m), Mach 2 at sea level: 840 mph (1,335 km/h), Mach 1.1
Initial Climb Rate	40,000 ft (12,200 m) / min
Service Ceiling	60,000 ft (18,300 m)
Range	typical: 540 nm (1,000 km) ferry: 1,080 nm (2,000 km)
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	one 30-mm Oerlikon KCA cannon (150 rds)
Stations	seven external hardpoints
Air-to-Air Missile	AIM-9 Sidewinder (RB24), AIM-4 (RB27), Skyflash (RB71), RB74
Air-to-Surface Missile	none
Bomb	various bombs
Other	rocket pods, ECM pods
KNOWN VARIANTS:
AJ37	Single-seat all-weather attack fighter; 110 built
JA37	Single-seat multi-role fighter; 149 built
SF37	Single-seat all-weather armed photo-reconnaissance model with modified nose containing cameras, infrared sensors, and ECM equipment; 26 built
SH37	Single-seat all-weather ocean surveillance model with search radar in nose; 26 built
AJS37	Designation applied to AJ37, SF37, and SH37 aircraft upgraded for air-defense, attack, and reconnaissance duties; about 115 converted
SK37	Two-seat combat-capable trainer; 18 built
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Sweden
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Bishop, Chris, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Weapon Systems from 1945 to the Present Day. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1999, p. 242, 272, 277-278, 301. Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 812-813. FAS Viggen site Gunston, Bill, ed. The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1995, p. 238-240. Gunston, Bill and Spick, Mike. Modern Air Combat: The Aircraft, Tactics and Weapons Employed in Aerial Combat Today. NY: Crescent Books, 1983, p. 148-149. Isby, David C. Jane's Fighter Combat in the Jet Age. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997, p. 182. Munro, Bob and Chant, Christopher. Jane's Combat Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995, p. 202-203. Paul Nann's Military Aviation Photo Gallery Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 91.