This was the performance that won the Swedish Air Force pilot and plane the King Hussein Memorial Sword for best overall flying demonstration at the RIAT 2019 air show.
A quick turn at high speed requires enormous ‘lift’ forces from the wings (ie perpendicular to the wings), and this causes the amazing condensation clouds and vortices over them. The JAS-39C is significantly lighter than most of its type, which is a big advantage when changing direction rapidly.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (English: griffin) is a light single-engine multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. It is powered by the Volvo RM12, and has a top speed of Mach 2. Later aircraft are modified for NATO interoperability standards and to undertake air to air refuelling.
In 1979, the Swedish government began development studies for an aircraft capable of fighter, attack, and reconnaissance missions to replace the Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish Air Force. A new design from Saab was selected and developed as the JAS 39, first flying in 1988 and entering service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996. Upgraded variants, featuring more advanced avionics and adaptations for longer mission times, began entering service in 2003.
To market the aircraft internationally, Saab formed partnerships and collaborative efforts with overseas aerospace companies, including, in 2001, BAE Systems. On the export market, early models of the Gripen achieved moderate success in sales to nations in Central Europe, South Africa, and Southeast Asia; bribery was suspected in some of these procurements, but authorities closed the investigation in 2009.
An updated and redeveloped version, designated Gripen JAS 39E/F but also referred to as Gripen NG or Super JAS, began deliveries to the Swedish and Brazilian air forces as of 2019. The changes include the adoption of a new power-plant, the General Electric F414G, an active electronically scanned array radar, and significantly increased internal fuel capacity.
As of 2020, more than 271 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been built.
Sources: YouTube; Wikipedia
I think Australia should buy these instead of the US F-35
As cheaper, better bang for $ also turn around is less than 10 minutes only a small maintenance team required and for the same money Australia could have many more plans.
New Zealand may also be interested.
2 Man version would give added monitoring and share of “ work load “ in combat mode.
Please note not in the military but impressed with videos of this aircraft.
They may even able 2 be used on our 2 Spanish helicopter supply ships seeing they only need a short runway ?
The 2-seater version is not really for intercept, but more for education, reconaissance and EWS (Electronic Warfare System). The single-seated version is the best for dogfight and BVR (beyond visual range) intercept and defense. SAAB has carried out a fine tradition of man-machine interface, enabling one person to handle the workload perfectly, all the way back from the 70ies with the Viggen fighter. Fun fact, even the old 2-seater version (D), achieved supercruise with light armament (2 air-to-air missiles, and one drop tank), due to its longer lenght and smaller drag, (according to Swedish Air Force commander).