Gripen E
The first of 60 Gripen E combat aircraft was formally received into service by the Swedish Air Force on 20 October 2025.
Designed to defeat any adversary, and made for forward-thinking air forces, Gripen E incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the latest systems, sensors, weapons and pods to ensure combat advantage, delivering air superiority in highly contested environments. Silent networking and total sensor fusion across a tactical air unit to blind and confuse the enemy. One aircraft active, the others go passive. Together the team gets the first missile launch opportunity and the first kill. Gripen E re-defines the rules of the game.
Gripen E has 10 hard-points; offers the best in class weapons and pods from around the world; and has an unrivalled ease of stores integration. Gripen E can conduct air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions. Air supremacy is achieved with the carriage of up to seven Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles and two Within Visual Range IRIS-T missiles. Weapons like these, combined with the ability to use offensive and defensive means simultaneously, enables Gripen E to detect, engage and suppress or destroy targets effectively.
Gripen E has the powerful GE F414G engine, great range and the ability to carry an impressive payload with its ten hard-points. The Gripen E-series F414-GE-39E turbofan, developed by General Electric, offers 25 percent more thrust (up to 22,000 pounds with powered afterburner) resulting in an improved air-to-surface capability and enhanced electric airborne attack. A stronger engine like F414-GE-39E does not just mean enhanced power for the aircraft, but cost-efficiency as well. Usually, at supersonic speed, the engine triggers the afterburner, resulting in more fuel consumption. But an F414-GE-39E does not trigger the afterburner even at very high speeds, allowing for a better fuel efficiency, ultimately leading to reduced life cycle cost of the aircraft.
The new engine, in its own way, is also responsible for the increased range of Gripen E. The combination of extra thrust of the F414 engine, and the increased fuel capacity (up to 40%) of Gripen E increases the range of the new generation fighter. As compared to its predecessor F404, F414 also promises significant improvements in aircraft performance, survivability and payload. Built with extra durability technologies, the F414 features 3d aerodynamics, an improved high pressure turbine, and an advanced cooling system (16 percent more airflow than the F404 fan).
Gripen’s avionics design separates mission system functionality from flight-critical software to adapt to new operational needs and support smooth capability growth without affecting the need for recertification. As soon as new technology becomes available, Gripen can be updated accordingly to ensure continuous capability growth. This changes the paradigm of extensive and costly mid-life upgrades that burdens the availability of competing fighter fleets.
It also has a new AESA-radar, Infrared Search and Track System (IRST), highly advanced electronic warfare and communication systems. The E-series redefines air power for the 21st century by extending operational capabilities. Today’s battlefield is highly complex, contested and hostile, and Gripen has the ability to penetrate the enemy’s anti-access zones and disrupt its capacity to perform. Gripen E’s integrated cutting-edge electronic warfare system combines a variety of offensive and defensive measures to disrupt enemy efforts while protecting itself to ensure high survivability. Gripen does real-time signal analysis and countermeasures management, as well as extensive electronic intelligence (ELINT) signal collection to vanquish any rival.
Gripen’s embedded AI capability and its future-oriented cockpit design that features the Wide Area Display (WAD), facilitate the pilot’s decision-making process and provides crucial assistance in the midst of a complex mission. The WAD presents the information in a user-friendly way, which supports the pilot’s ability to select, launch and guide weapons in perfect coordination with other members of a tactical air unit. Information is quickly analyzed and shared in real-time, enabling critical decisions to be rapidly implemented, ensuring tactical superiority. All information collected by the tactical unit and other available battlefield sensors is also vital, and it needs to be linked, processed and presented in an accurate way. This superior situational awareness provides the tactical edge that Gripen E needs to secure mission success and platform survivability.
From the outset, Gripen E was designed for ease of maintenance that secures higher availability than its competitors. Gripen E can operate in extreme climates and from dispersed and unprepared road bases or airstrips. It takes less than 20 minutes with only a limited number of ground crew and equipment to refuel and rearm Gripen for an air-to-air mission, which ensures rapid re-engagement. With low maintenance requirements per flight hour, Gripen E spends less time on the ground and more time in the air.
On 18 May 2016 Saab unveiled the first of the next generation Gripen aircraft. It’s a key milestone in the evolution of The Smart Fighter. Gripen is a unique fighter concept, bringing a balance between excellent operational performance, high-tech solutions, cost-efficiency and industrial partnership into one, smart fighter system. That’s why Saab calls it “The smart fighter”. Gripen E combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package that Saab says no other fighter aircraft can match. Based on the proven Gripen C/D platform, the Gripen E (also referred to as Gripen E/F) carry this heritage and continues to be one of the most advanced multi-role fighters in the world - revolutionary because it combines advanced technology and operational effectiveness in an affordable package that no other fighter aircraft can hope to match.
The JAS-39E Gripen is an enlarged, beefed up version of the Gripen, with a new more powerful engine, the General Electric F414, as well as capacity for 40% more fuel (thanks to a redesigned central fuselage) and additional weapon pylons. The company has also put significant emphasis on data fusion with information from a new active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track, electronic warfare systems and more advanced data links.
Gripen E is a fully NATO-interoperable, true multi-role fighter with outstanding availability, tailored for the future Network Centric Warfare (NCW) environment. Gripen E will meet the demanding operational requirements of the 21st century air forces and its unrivalled multi-role capability provides excellent tactical flexibility. Gripen E offers operational dominance and flexibility with superior mission survivability. Air-to-air superiority is guaranteed with METEOR, AMRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9 missile capability and supercruise. Air-to-surface capability is assured through the use of the latest generation precision weapons and targeting sensors. Gripen E's superior situation awareness is ensured through an AESA radar, IRST passive sensor, HMD, cutting-edge avionics, next generation data processing and a state-of-the-art cockpit.
Together with proven Network Centric Warfare capabilities including advanced data communications, dual data links, satellite communications and video links, make Gripen E the ideal independent fighter of choice. On-board sensors, in combination with HMD/NVG, deliver the ability to detect and destroy a wide variety of targets, even at night or in poor weather conditions. A fighter mission can be compared to large scale chess games, where the fighter allows you to get the right situation awareness in order to communicate the right information to take the adequate decision. The same analogy to chess games applies regardless if the mission to perform is air-to-air, reconnaissance or air-to-ground.
AESA stands for Active Electronically Scanned Array and means that, in contrast to older generation radars, it has not only one antenna but a full array of small antennas, called elements. This means that the radar can simultaneously and independently track different targets, and also track targets independently of search volumes. IRST an electro-optical system mounted on top of the nose, just in front of the canopy, and is looking forward in a wide sector registering heat emissions from other aircraft, helicopters and from objects on the ground and sea surface. The tactical advantage of a passive sensor is that it will not give a position away.
The highly advanced EW system can function as a passive or active sensor, warning for incoming missiles or radar looking at you. It can also be used for electronic attacks and jamming other radars. Coupled to the countermeasure such as chaff and flares the EW system can enhance the survivability.
Almost any weapon can be integrated, giving Gripen E very high weapon flexibility. This is partly due to the flexible avionic architecture. Because of its well-documented ease of new weapon integration, Gripen served as the main test platform for Meteor, the latest long range air to air missile. Gripen E is a Network Centric fighter and can communicate two ways with all armed units. It has a secure and multi-frequency data links system that provides total situation awareness. The acquired information – along with information about each Gripen’s position, fuel and weapon status – is shared with other Gripen fighters via the data link. Gripen E is built for high survivability in a combat environment. Gripen tactics are based on smart use of a variety of electronic warfare capabilities. The RWR (Radar Warning Receiver) is the source for an accurate sensor for detecting emitting threats such as radar. And the Missile Approach Warning (MAW) system can detect and track incoming missiles of all types.
Gripen E has weapons for all types of mission, from guided glide bombs for precision engagement with low collateral damage, to long-range and agile air-to-air missiles and heavy anti-ship armaments. Additionally, the aircraft has an inherent precision strike and stand-off capability. The single-seat Gripen E is equipped with a 27 mm Mauser BK27 gun. This can be used in air-to-surface attacks against land and sea targets and is suitable for air policing missions. Gripen NG can also carry pods and sensors for reconnaissance and special missions. These include Litening, Reccelite, DJRP and MRPS pods. It is one of the easiest aircraft of its kind to add new weapons. This makes it a favorite among weapons companies as they can quickly and easily use Gripen for development. For example, it was selected for testing the Meteor missile. This benefits users, as new armaments are available to them more quickly compared to other aircraft.
In 2007 Saab selected GE Aviation's new F414G fighter engine to power its Gripen Aircraft Demonstrator Program. Two F414 Engines are currently being delivered for flight-test and customer demonstration evaluations planned for 2008-2010. The F414G uses a similar architecture to the popular F414-GE-400 engine powering the F/A-18 Super Hornet, with minor changes to the alternator for added aircraft power, and modified Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) software for enhanced single-engine operation. The F414 engine is capable of producing more than 22,000 pounds (96 kN) of thrust.
"This extension of the proven F414 product line will help ensure the Gripen remains at the leading edge of performance and capability," said F404/F414 program manager Tony Mathis. "We have a long and successful history supporting the Gripen program, and look forward to this next chapter." The Demonstrator program includes the development of a new test-flying platform, the Gripen Demo, which complements the successful Gripen C/D version currently being delivered to customers worldwide. A potential fleet of approximately 200 aircraft is anticipated.
F414 engines combine advanced technology with proven reliability, maintainability and operability of its successful F404 predecessor that powers the F/A-18C/D, while providing 35% more thrust. With approximately 750,000 flight-hours and 700 engines delivered, the F414 engine continues to exceed U.S. Navy reliability goals. In addition to the Saab Gripen Demo, the F414 is also a potential powerplant for a variety of light fighter, combat and trainer aircraft under development.
Gripen Maritime is part of the Gripen E-series. We are establishing Gripen Maritime as its new generation carrier-based fighter for the future. Intended for both CATOBAR and STOBAR operations, the Gripen Maritime size and flight/hangar deck manoeuvrability will offer a simple and robust fighter in terms of all embarked operations. Its small logistics footprint and reduced spares inventory will make it significantly more maintainable and require far fewer personnel than existing fleet fighters.
Gripen Maritime will meet or exceed all operational requirements for maritime fast jet operator nations around the world. The fighter can operate in high humidity and is designed to withstand the corrosive effect of salt water ingress. The GE 414G engine is fully marinised for embarked operations. Rapid pitch and roll authority as well as precision glide slope control will give Gripen Maritime pilots an ideal platform for safe and steady deck landings.
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