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See also the Saab 9-3 Viggen automobile

AJ 37/JA 37 Viggen
Swedish Air Force JA 37
Type	Fighter-bomber
Manufacturer	SAAB
Maiden flight	8 February 1967
Introduction	21 June 1971
Retired	25 November 2005
Status	Retired
Primary user	Swedish Air Force
Number built	329

The Saab 37 Viggen (Thunderbolt) is a Swedish fighter aircraft manufactured between 1970 and 1990 to replace the Saab J 35 Draken. The Viggen is a single seat (except SK-37), single engine fighter, capable of STOL operations and multi-role, all weather short-medium range missions. Image File history File links Acap. ... The Saab 9-3 is a compact executive car produced by the automaker Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden, although the convertible (cabriolet) version is made under license in Austria. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Saab_JA37_37447_Swedish_Air_Force_Marcel_van_Leeuwen. ... Coat of arms of the Swedish Air Force. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... For other uses, see Saab (disambiguation). ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Coat of arms of the Swedish Air Force. ... An A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang fly in formation during an air show at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Saab (disambiguation). ... The Saab 35 Draken (Draken is Swedish for The kite, but can also mean The Dragon) or Saab 35 is a Swedish fighter aircraft manufactured by Saab between 1955 and 1974. ...

Design and development

The first studies aimed at developing a successor to the Draken were carried out between 1952 and 1957 involving the legendary Finnish aircraft designer Aarne Lakomaa. Construction started in 1964, with a first prototype maiden flight in 1967. The aim was to produce a robust single-engined fighter with excellent STOL performance that could be operated from improvised facilities such as roads and highways in the event of nuclear attacks on major installations. Other requirements included supersonic ability at low level, Mach 2 performance at altitude, and the ability to make short landings at low angles of attack (to avoid damaging improvised runways). Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Aarne Lakomaa (1914–2001) was a Finnish aircraft designer. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with prototyping. ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... A Zenair CH701 STOL light aircraft Polish STOL light aircraft PZL-104M Wilga of Polish Border Guard at Radom Air Show in 2005. ... Mountain road with hairpin turns in the French Alps For other uses, see Road (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A United States Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in transonic flight. ...

To meet these design goals, Saab selected a radical canard configuration: a conventional delta wing with small, high-set canard wings. Canards have since become common in fighter aircraft, notably with the Eurofighter Typhoon and the IAI Kfir, but more meant as agility, over the STOL capabilities. The air intakes are simple D section models. The canards are behind these. The main wing is a complex delta. The tail (45 degrees in the leading edge) is single and very tall. The Viggen canards are not movable as control surfaces. The canard flaps are, however, deployed in conjunction with the landing gear to provide more lift. To withstand the stresses of no-flare landings, Saab made extensive use of titanium in the construction of the Viggen, especially in the fuselage; and incorporated an unusual wheel arrangement for the main landing gear, which has two tires in tandem. Such layout is common in airliners and cargo planes, but it is rare in fighters. The plane was designed from the beginning to be easy to repair and service, even for personnel without much training. It also features a foldable rear fin to make it easier to store in hangars.^[1] For other uses, see Saab (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The delta-wing is a wing planform in the form of a triangle. ... “EF2000” redirects here. ... The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (Hebrew: כפיר, Lion Cub) is an Israeli-built all-weather, multi-role combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. ... General Name, symbol, number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 47. ...

In 1960 the U.S. National Security Council, led by President Eisenhower, formulated a military security guarantee for Sweden. The U.S. promised to help Sweden militarily in case of a Soviet attack against Sweden. As a consequence of this Sweden and the U.S. signed a military-technology agreement. In what was known as the "37-annex" Sweden received access to advanced U.S. aeronautical technology. The access to large amounts of U.S. expertise made it possible to design and produce the Saab 37 Viggen much faster and cheaper than would otherwise have been possible.^[2] Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The White House National Security Council (NSC) in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the President. ... For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... Dwight David Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American General and politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953–1961). ... Aeronautics is the mathematics and mechanics of flying objects, in particular airplanes. ...

The reason for this officially unexplained U.S. support was, according to the doctoral research of Nils Bruzelius at the Swedish National Defence College, the need to protect U.S. Polaris submarines deployed just outside the Swedish west coast against the threat of Soviet anti-submarine aircraft.^[2] Polaris A-3 on launch pad in Cape Canaveral The Polaris missile was a submarine-launched, two-stage solid-fuel nuclear-armed ballistic missile (SLBM) built during the Cold War by Lockheed for the United States Navy. ...

Powerplant

The Viggen is powered by a single Svenska Flygmotor RM8 turbofan. This is essentially a licence-built version of the same Pratt & Whitney JT8D engine that powered commercial airliners of the 1960s. An afterburner is added for the Viggen. The engine also incorporates a thrust-reverser to use during landings and land manoeuvers. Only the Viggen and the Panavia Tornado carry both afterburners and thrust-reversers. Schematic diagram of high-bypass turbofan engine CFM56-3 turbofan, lower half, side view. ... This section does not cite its references or sources. ... SR-71 in flight with J58 on full afterburner An afterburner is an additional component added to some jet engines, primarily those on military aircraft. ... KLM Fokker 70 with reverse thrust applied. ... The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine fighters, which was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. ...

SAAB had originally wanted the Pratt & Whitney TF30 as the Viggen powerplant. Since the engine was not finished at the time when the airframe vs. engine design size needed to be frozen, the civilian variant of the TF30 - the JT8D was chosen as the basis for a Volvo Aero modification instead. The TF-30, produced by Pratt & Whitney was the worlds first afterburning turbofan. ...

A turbofan engine was chosen instead of a turbojet as in the Draken for better fuel economy and available thrust vs. size congruent with the general trend of fighter development at that time. Schematic diagram of high-bypass turbofan engine CFM56-3 turbofan, lower half, side view. ... Turbojets are the simplest and oldest kind of general purpose jet engines. ...

The fuselage and wings hold approximately 5,000 l of fuel. Given that the fuel consumption is 0.7 for cruise speeds, the overall range is not particularly high. Other aircraft with conventional turbojets had similar range using less fuel. Mirage F1 for example, has 4,000 litres of internal fuel and good endurance. The Dassault Mirage F1 is a single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault Aviation of France. ...

The cockpit and air intake of JA 37 Viggen

Also, the fuel consumption at maximum AB (afterburner) of a high bypass ratio turbine is very high, opposite to the economy displayed at cruise speed. The Viggen consumption is around 15 kg/sec, which means that the internal fuel ends in seven minutes at maximum AB. Refueling in the air is not available for Swedish fighters as they are designed for defensive tasks. In every case, the range at low level with a 1,300 kg load, is around 500 km, and up to 1,000 km at altitude. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x768, 256 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): JA 37 Viggen Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x768, 256 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): JA 37 Viggen Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used...

Airframe

The undercarriage is rather unconventional for fighters, with two bogie wheels, permitting the aircraft to be used in wet and icy conditions. With the wheels in bogie instead of tandem configuration, the use of a thinner wing was permitted. A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. ...

Compared to other land based fighters/interceptors, the Viggen can do a no-flare landing at at a very high sink rate of 5 m/s, similar to carrier based fighters. All these characteristics and the thrust reverser (up to 3,600 kg) are enough to make operations possible from 500 m airstrips, with minimal support.

Avionics

The CK37 computer

The Viggen featured a Datasaab navigational computer, which by Swedish standards was a significant technological achievement for the time. It utilised the STRIL 60 system to be linked with the Swedish defence systems. There was also an RWR system in the wings and the tail, a series of electronic sub-systems and a multirole radar. A 200,000 op/second combat computer, derived by the F-14 Tomcat, was employed. All the electronics weighed 600kg, which was an impressive amount for a single engine, late 1960s fighter^[3]. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1704 × 2272 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1704 × 2272 pixel, file size: 1. ... Datasaab was a company branched from Saab in Linköping, Sweden in the late 1950s. ... STRIL is short for Stridsledning which means combat management in Swedish. ...

Weapons

Weapons are up to 6t in 7 hardpoints. Sidewinders, Falcons, Mavericks, RB-04, 05 and 15 are used, as well 120 fragmentation bombs (VIrgo). 135mm rockets, available in five tube launchers and several different warheads, included semi-armour piercing. There was no internal gun on the first versions but gun pods could be mounted.

Operational history

The first operational squadron was established in 1972 at Såtenäs with the ground attack optimized version. 110 of the original AJ 37 and 18 SK 37 two-seat trainers (usually only with one hardpoint for wing), were delivered. A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... Trainer may refer to: An aircraft trainer used for training pilots. ...

A total of 26 of the SH 37 maritime reconnaissance and strike version were built in 1974, replacing the S 32C Saab Lansen. Although fitted with radar and weaponry, the SH 37 Viggen could undertake long range photographic missions.^[3]. The SAAB A32 Lansen (Swedish:lance) was a two-seater attack aircraft produced by SAAB from 1955 to 1960 for Flygvapnet, the Swedish air force. ...

A further 26 of the SF 37 reconnaissance version to replace the S 35 Draken in 1975 were also delivered. These were recognizable by an elongated nose, equipped with cameras. Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ...

Although the Viggen was offered for sale worldwide, and regarded as a very competent aircraft, no export sales occurred. Reasons to explain Saab's failure to sell a competitively priced, highly advanced and well-respected aircraft include the Swedish government's relatively strict controls on arms exports to undemocratic countries, potential customers' doubts about continuity of support and supply of spare parts in the event of a conflict disapproved of by Sweden, and strong diplomatic pressure of larger nations. United States blocked an export of Viggen to India in 1978 by not issuing an export license for the RM8/JT8D engine, forcing India to choose the SEPECAT Jaguar instead.^[4] Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by a dictator. ... The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French ground attack aircraft still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman. ...

The Viggen saw initial service in natural metal, later on receiving an extremely elaborate disruptive camouflage scheme; and then a light/dark gray on its final days.

The final Viggen variant was the JA 37 interceptor entering service in 1980. The last of 149 JA 37s was delivered in 1990. Various upgrades have been performed over the years, mainly to cockpit equipment, weapons and sensor fit. The MiG-25 is a Russian interceptor that was the mainstay of the Soviet air defence. ...

Jaktviggen

The Jaktviggen was equipped with an improved and more powerful engine, the RM-8B with 12,700kg/s. In addition it was re-equipped with a new interception radar, the PS-46. It had LD/SD capability up to 50km. New computers and HUD ECMs and some other subsystems were also fitted. The radar is compatible with the Skyflash medium range missiles, for the first time in a Swedish fighter. Two Skyflash missiles can be carried under the wings on hardpoints, as well as four Sidewinder J or L models. Another important improvement was the addition of an internal gun: an Oerlikon KCA with 150 rounds. It fires them at 1,300 c/min and over 1,000 m for 360 gr projectiles, so the useful range is well over the normal: up to 2,000 m in aerial combat. When firing the gun, the autopilot is slaved to the radar control to obtain the best precision. Also structural strength is improved, especially for the multi-sparred wings (initially Viggens had an high loss rate, 21 machines of the first generation)^[3]. UK medium-range semi-active radar guided air-to-air missile derived from the US AIM-7 Sparrow missile and carried by the Tornado F3 interceptor aircraft. ...

In the cockpit, three multi-purpuse CRT are fitted as well, a noticeable achievement for a 1970s fighter. All this made JA-37 (It means that the attack was posed in second place in the task of this machines) a really powerful aircraft, almost as maneuverable (up to 26 AOA maneuver) and powerful than the new generation fighters, while the climb to 10,000 m already noticeable (<100s.) in AJ-37, was sent to 86 min.^[3].

Between 1998 and 2000, ten SK 37 trainers were converted to SK 37E electronic warfare trainers to replace the aging J 32E Lansen.

The Viggen has been phased out in favor of the advanced later generation JAS 39 Gripen. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin or Gryphon) is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. ...

Variants

AJ-37

Primary a single-seat ground-attack fighter aircraft, with a secondary fighter role. First delivery in 1971. Serial numbers 37001-37108. RM8A powerplant. PS-37A radar. Decommissioned in 2000.

JA-37

Primary a single-seat all-weather interceptor fighter, with a secondary attack role. First delivery in 1979. Serial numbers 37301-37449. 10cm (4in.) stretch of AJ-37 fuselage between canard and main wing. PS-46A LD/SD radar

SF-37

Single-seat photographic reconnaissance aircraft. First delivery in 1975. Radar replaced with four cameras. Serial numbers 37950-37977

SH-37

Single-seat maritime reconnaissance and strike aircraft. First delivery in 1975. PS-371A radar. Serial numbers 37901-37927

SK-37

Two-seat trainer aircraft. First delivery in 1973. No radar. Can carry unguided weapons. Serial numbers 37801-37817

SK-37E

Electronic warfare trainer. Conversion of ten obsolete SK-37 trainers from 1998 to 2000. Serial numbers 37807-37811 & 37813-37817. Decommissioned in 2007.

AJS/AJSF/AJSH-37

Upgrade of some AJ/SF/SH-37 between 1993 and 1998. Avionics and software upgrade including MIL-STB 1553B databus for carrying RBS-15F, DWS 39 Mjölner and Rb74.

JA-37D

Upgrade of older JA-37 between 1993 and 1998. Avionics and software upgrade permits use of Rb99.

SAAB 37E Eurofighter

Proposed NATO replacement of F-104 Starfighter in 1975. Never built or sold.

Saab 37X

Proposed export version. Not built.

Trivia

• Burt Rutan named his VariViggen kit aircraft after the Saab Viggen.
• Viggen, or a "Vigg" is also a tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), which is found in Sweden. Coincidentally, "Canard" is French for duck.
• The name "Viggen" has a mythological background: it is the clap of Mjolnir, Thor's hammer.
• A high performance model of the SAAB 9-3 car was named the Viggen after the aircraft.

Elbert Leander Burt Rutan (born June 17, 1943 in Estacada, Oregon) is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft. ... VariViggen is a plane designed by Burt Rutan, he named it after Swedish fighterplane Saab Viggen. ... Binomial name Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) The Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) is a medium-sized diving duck with a population close to one million birds. ... Drawing of an archeological find of a gold plated hammer in silver. ... Thors battle against the giants, by Mårten Eskil Winge, 1872 Thor (Old Norse: Þórr) is the red-haired and bearded god of thunder and war in Norse Mythology and more generally Germanic mythology (Old English: Þunor, Old Dutch and Old High German: Donar, from Proto-Germanic *Þunraz). ... The Saab 9-3 is a compact executive car produced by the automaker Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden, although the convertible (cabriolet) version is made under license in Austria. ...

Operators

•  Sweden
  • Swedish Air Force

Image File history File links Flag_of_Sweden. ... Coat of arms of the Swedish Air Force. ...

Operational Units

• F 4
• F 6
• F 7
• F 10
• F 13
• F 15
• F 16
• F 17
• F 21

Specifications (JA 37 Viggen)

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 53 ft 9 in (16.4 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 9 in (10.6 m)
• Height: 19 ft 4 in (5.9 m)
• Wing area: 500 ft² (46 m²)
• Empty weight: 26,900 lb (12,200 kg)
• Loaded weight: lb (kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 44,000 lb (20,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Volvo RM8B afterburning turbofan, 16,200 lbf dry, 28,110 lbf afterburning (72.1 kN / 125.0 kN)

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.1, 1,386 mph at 36,100 ft (2,231 km/h at 11,000 m)
• Range: 1,240 mi (2,000 km)
• Service ceiling: 59,100 ft (18,000 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min (m/min)

Armament

• 1x 30 mm Oerlikon KCA cannon with 150 rounds
• Six missile stations for two Skyflash, four AIM-120 AMRAAM (JA 37D), or six AIM-9 Sidewinder or four 135 mm (5.4 in) rocket pods.

Image File history File links Saab_VIGGEN_AJ-37. ... The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... This section does not cite its references or sources. ... Schematic diagram of high-bypass turbofan engine CFM56-3 turbofan, lower half, side view. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Mach number (Ma) is defined as a ratio of speed to the speed of sound in the medium in case. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... UK medium-range semi-active radar guided air-to-air missile derived from the US AIM-7 Sparrow missile and carried by the Tornado F3 interceptor aircraft. ... The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced am-ram), is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) capable of all weather day and night performance. ... The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. ...

References

• Nativi, Andrea, Viggen, il caccia venuto dal freddo, RID magazine, June 1993, pag 20-36.
• Nativi, Andrea, Il cacciabombardiere Su-24 Fencer, RID October 1996

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Saab J-37

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ...

External links

• Website with links to Two Pages of Viggen Pictures
• [2]
• SAAB 37 Viggen webpage
• Vigg, The Tufted Duck (in Swedish)
• Detailed photos of cockpit and weapons
• SAAB 37 Viggen webpage in Dutch
• SAAB 37 Viggen webpage

Related content

Comparable aircraft

• Dassault Mirage III
• F-106 Delta Dart

Designation sequence

• 29 - 32 - 35 - 37 - 39

Related lists

• List of fighter aircraft
• List of military aircraft of Sweden

See also

• Comparison of 21st century fighter aircraft
• Swedish Air Force