Saab JA 37 Viggen

The Saab JA 37 Viggen is a Swedish multirole combat aircraft that entered service in the early 1970s and remained a cornerstone of the Swedish Air Force until its retirement in 2005. Developed by Saab Group as a successor to the J 35 Draken, the Viggen was conceived during the Cold War to defend Sweden’s vast, forest‑filled territory and to operate from short, dispersed airfields. Its distinctive delta wing combined with canard foreplanes gave it excellent short‑take‑off and landing performance, while the powerful Volvo RM12 after‑burning turbofan, derived from the Pratt & Whitney JT8D, provided a top speed of Mach 2.1. The aircraft was built in several variants – the AJ 37 ground‑attack version, the SK 37 reconnaissance model, the SF/SH 37 air‑defence interceptor, and later the upgraded JA 37 with enhanced avionics and weapons. Advanced on‑board computers, a heads‑up display, and a data‑link allowed it to employ missiles such as the Rb 27, Rb 71 and later the AIM‑9 Sidewinder. The Viggen’s innovative design, emphasis on flexibility and its ability to operate from austere bases set new standards for national defence aviation and cemented Saab’s reputation as a leading aerospace manufacturer.

Saab Group

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Design & Classification