english griffin light single engine fighter aircraft manufactured swedish company designed replace delta wing configuration relaxed stability design fly wire flight controls powered speed later aircraft modified nato standards undertake flight swedish government began development studies aircraft capable fighter attack reconnaissance missions replace new design selected developed flying following crashes flight development subsequent alterations aircraft flight control software entered service upgraded variants featuring advanced adaptations longer mission times began entering service order market aircraft export customers formed partnerships collaborative efforts multiple overseas companies example efforts joint partnership formed responsible marketing aircraft heavily involved successful export type south_africa organization later dissolved amidst allegations employed secure foreign interest sales export market achieved moderate success sales nations south_africa southeast_asia suspected authorities closed investigation version designated development referred changes include adoption new powerplant active array radar significantly increased internal fuel capacity proposed derivatives including carrier operations manned aircraft operations sweden brazil ordered switzerland initially selected built development origins late 1970s sweden sought replace required affordable aircraft good short field performance defensive dispersed basing plan event invasion plan included long wide rudimentary stated base goal aircraft smaller improving range characteristics early proposals included called intended attack aircraft trainer development capabilities fighter attack sea reconnaissance aircraft foreign designs studied including ultimately swedish government opted new fighter developed government began study calling versatile platform capable standing air air attack air surface reconnaissance indicating fighter aircraft fulfill multiple roles mission designs reviewed promising project redesignated project later project recommended government established joint venture industrial arm swedish armed forces preferred aircraft single engine lightweight single embracing fly wire technology unstable design powerplant selected license built derivative engine development priorities weight reduction lowering component count june approval issued contracts worth billion covering prototypes initial batch production aircraft january converted flying test aircraft intended fly wire controls received griffin public competition logo testing production improvements rolled april marking 50th anniversary originally planned fly flight delayed months issues flight control system december prototype serial number took minute maiden flight pilot controls test programme concern surfaced aircraft specifically fly wire flight control system relaxed stability design february issue led crash prototype attempted landing test pilot walked away broken elbow cause crash identified pilot induced caused problems pitch control routine response crash firm introduced software modifications aircraft modified lockheed test improvements allowed flight testing resume months accident august production aircraft destroyed accident aerial display stockholm test pilot lost control aircraft roll low altitude aircraft stalled forcing later found problem high pilot quick significant stick command ensuing investigation flaw correction delayed test flying months resuming december order included option exercised june consisted seat seat variant longer accommodate second seat necessitated cannon reduced internal fuel capacity april prototypes series production completed visual range missile selected batch ordered june composed upgraded single seat known nato compatibility exports aircraft delivered possess powerful updated flight capability retractable aircraft starboard board oxygen generating system longer missions flight tested specially equipped prototype successful trials teaming agreements paris air announced formation joint venture company goal adapting manufacturing marketing supporting worldwide deal involved conversion series aircraft export series developed compatibility nato standards cooperation extended formation promote export sales december announced sell large portion stake responsibility marketing export orders june announced internal investigation revealed evidence acts corruption including money south_africa customers april norway signed million joint development agreement cooperate development programme including integration norwegian industries development future versions aircraft june year entered agreement concerning development communications systems fighter order awarded provisions letter agreement signed april result united_states diplomatic cables leak revealed diplomats concerned cooperation norway sweden topic sought exert pressure norwegian purchase aircraft december marketing efforts denmark deal signed danish technology supplier allows participate industrial cooperation programme years total value programme estimated billion partly dependent denmark controversies scandals costs developing advanced multi role fighter major undertaking sweden predecessor despite advanced expensive criticized occupying sweden military budget branded military nest critics early party congress social democrats dominant party swedish politics 1950s motion passed stop future projects develop advanced military aircraft project passed margin entire party voting proposal demands studies new bill introduced final approval given april condition project fixed price contract decision later criticized unrealistic later cost according aftermath crashes loss credibility weakening public image public speculation failures address technical problems exposed crash directly contributed second crash observed media elements called greater public explanation project ill informed media analysis distorted public knowledge sitting conservative government quickly endorsed supported minister defense issued public project positive sweden connection marketing efforts multiple countries including south_africa austria czech_republic hungary reports widespread corruption swedish journalists reported paid bribes equivalent millions dollars following criminal investigations countries individual austria prosecuted scandal international reputation sweden cost subject frequent attention speculation announced reduced earnings year partly increased marketing costs aircraft disputed norway cost calculations excess real world performance existing operators report stated total research development costs billion according study operational cost lowest modern fighters estimated flight hour estimated cost system comprising billion distributed period estimated maintaining model aircraft cost billion buying aircraft foreign supplier cost billion developments seat aircraft designated demo ordered upgrades powered development boeing super engine maximum weight increased internal fuel capacity increased cent relocating allowed added fuselage underside combat radius kilometres carrying drop tanks radar replaced new active array radar based radar family maiden flight conducted january flew test capability served basis referred generation material standard studied variant capable operating aircraft carriers 1990s launched project response india request information carrier borne aircraft brazil require new carrier aircraft following meeting officials agreed establish development center expand concept stated development manned version capable flying operations explored firm development manned carrier versions require commitment customer november expressed interest carrier based variant sweden awarded year contract improve radar equipment integrate new weapons lower operating costs june stated sweden planned order designated enter service earlier dependent export orders august following switzerland intention buy variants sweden announced planned buy swedish government approved decision purchase january july assembly began pre production aircraft originally models revised having new built reused parts production aircraft delivered march revealed detailed design indicated planned receive military type certification early rolled september head announced electronic warfare version development design overview fighter aircraft intended lightweight aerial platform incorporating advanced highly control surfaces contributes positive lift force speeds generous lift delta wing rear producing negative lift high speeds increasing induced drag intentionally unstable employing digital fly wire flight controls maintain stability removes flight restrictions improves reduces drag good short takeoff performance able maintain high sink rate strengthened withstand stresses short landings pair air brakes located sides rear fuselage angle downward act air brakes decrease landing distance capable flying degrees angle attack order enable long service life projected roughly years aircraft designed low maintenance requirements major systems engine radar type reduce operating cost increase reliability designed flexible anticipated newly developed sensors computers armaments need integrated technology advances aircraft estimated roughly sourced swedish european suppliers united_states key aspect program keen emphasize technology transfer agreements industrial partnerships export customers typically customer requirements enabling routine inclusion local suppliers manufacturing support processes number south african firms provide components systems including communications suite electronic warfare systems operated operators access source code technical documentation allowing upgrades new equipment independently integrated export customers intend domestically assemble proposed brazilian manufacturer produce export customers sensors fully integrated total digital data buses described fusion total integration makes aircraft allowing software updates introduced time increase performance allow additional operational roles equipment programming language adopted primary flight controls final prototypes onwards subsequent production aircraft software continuously improved add new capabilities compared preceding updated month schedule data generated onboard sensors cockpit activity digitally recorded length entire mission information cockpit easily extracted detailed post mission analysis data transfer unit insert mission data aircraft like designed operate component national defence system allows automatic exchange information real time aircraft ground facilities according features world highly developed data link tactical navigation system combines information multiple onboard systems air data computer radar gps continuously location entered service pulse band multi mode radar developed based advanced radar served basis radar weather radar capable locating identifying targets away automatically tracking multiple targets upper lower spheres ground sea air guide visual range air air missiles multiple targets simultaneously stated able handle types air defense air surface reconnaissance missions developing mark upgrade mark version increase high altitude air air detection ranges detection tracking smaller targets current ranges improvement air air mode low altitude integration modern weapons missiles future use new active array radar based radar family improvements new radar capable scanning greatly increased field view improved range addition new red search track capable detecting thermal emissions air ground targets aircraft vicinity sensors claimed able detect low radar cross section targets visual range targets tracked best dominates system onboard sensors auxiliary unit data link function radar cockpit primary flight controls compatible control principle centrally mounted stick addition flying aircraft controls cockpit displays weapon systems digital fly wire system employed flight controls mechanical backup throttle additional functions communications navigational decision support data accessed control panel directly central cockpit display includes cockpit display system developed provide pilots high level awareness reduces pilot workload intelligent information management features fusion capability information onboard sensors combined automatically analysed useful data presented pilot wide field view head display large multi function colour displays helmet mounted display system multi function displays central display navigational mission data display left center shows aircraft status electronic warfare information display right center sensory fire control information seat variants rear seat displays operated independently pilot display arrangement forward seat promoted capability useful electronic warfare reconnaissance missions carrying command control activities sweden began additional onboard computer systems new displays designed event failure flight information presented displays developed cobra use based cobra fully integrated operational aircraft available option export customers older swedish south african provides control information target data flight parameters equipped night time operations chemical biological connections cockpit designed rapid detachment safe use system engine service january powered engine license manufactured derivative fed plates changes include increased performance improved reliability meet single engine use safety criteria greater resistance bird strike incidents components redesigned reduce maintenance demands november accumulated flight hours single engine related failure incident head management stated think hard record beat single engine application variants currently development adopt powerplant variant produce greater thrust current engine enabling maintain speed sound barrier use speed carrying air air combat stated capable developing engine better match performance claimed developing expensive option prior selection consideration proposed included use thrust equipment armaments compatible number different armaments aircraft single cannon omitted seat variants including air air missiles air ground missiles anti ship missiles fleet completed upgrade process enabling compatibility range weapons including long range missile short range iris missile laser guided bomb speaking selection armaments campaign director stated buy select want weapons israel sweden europe south_america customer flight typically capable carrying armaments equipment equipment includes external pods reconnaissance target designation targeting pod reconnaissance pod system digital joint reconnaissance pod advanced integrated electronic warfare suite capable operating passive mode actively jam hostile radar missile approach warning system tracks incoming missiles november announced offer active developed june defensive missile pod performed flight describes swing role aircraft stating capable instantly switching roles push button human machine interface changes switching roles computer response new situations threats equipped use number different communications standards systems including saturn secure radio satellite equipment performing long range missions aerial probe onboard oxygen generation system integrated maintenance cold war ready defend possible invasion scenario required combat aircraft dispersed order maintain air defence capacity key design goal development ability snow covered landing strips metres furthermore short turnaround time minutes team composed technician able arm refuel perform basic inside time window returning flight design process great priority placed aircraft maintenance addition maintenance friendly layout components require little maintenance aircraft fitted health usage monitoring systems monitors performance systems provides information technicians assist operates continuous improvement programme information systems submitted analysis according provides lower operating costs best competitor jane study compared operational costs number modern combat aircraft concluding lowest cost flight hour fuel pre flight preparation repair scheduled airfield level maintenance associated personnel costs combined estimated lowest block higher operational history sweden placed total order delivery occurred june handed ceremony handed december air force received example december instead fixed price agreement batch aircraft paid target price concept cost split entered service wing november final batch aircraft delivered november accomplished agreed price batch putting cost million batch equipped flight specially equipped programme started upgrade air force fighters combined service january march received final march swedish parliament approved month deployment support mandated fly zone libya deployment pilots personnel began april june swedish government announced agreement extend deployment october flown combat missions flight hours delivered approximately reconnaissance reports nato journalist suggested operations stimulate sales aircraft november lieutenant colonel testified stated current version outdated air air combat having judged minimum required defend swedish wants upgraded standard august swedish government announced expected service december approved purchase option cancel aircraft ordered customers january government approved deal delivered march swedish defence minister stated ordered later confirmed government delivered czech republic czech_republic nato member need replace existing soviet built fleet aircraft compatible nato standards apparent czech_republic began evaluating number aircraft including major condition industrial offset agreement set expected purchase value december having reportedly generous financing offset programme announced selected deal delayed parliamentary elections taken place alternative means air defense studied including aircraft june announced czech_republic lease aircraft modified comply nato standards agreement included training czech pilots technicians sweden delivered april lease agreed period years cost million swedish air_force aircraft included single seat trainers september announced follow agreement czech_republic completed extend lease years leased aircraft shall undergo extensive process including adoption new lease option eventually acquiring fighters outright lease extended service contract extended november considers russia deteriorating relationship west recently decided upgrade fleet configuration hungary following hungary membership nato proposals achieve nato compatible fighter force considerable attention went studying second hand aircraft options modifying nation existing fleet hungary received offers new aircraft nations including sweden belgium israel turkey united_states hungarian government initially intended november process negotiating year lease contract aircraft option purchase aircraft end lease period arrangements offered offset deal valued cent cost fighters initially hungary planned lease aircraft inability conduct aerial weapons compatibility limitations generated hungarian contract signed february total originally standard undergone extensive upgrade process nato compatible standard aircraft deliveries took place december operates total aircraft lease country reportedly intended purchase aircraft outright january hungarian swedish governments agreed extend lease period years according hungarian defence minister agreement represented considerable cost savings lost crashes june leaving operation hungary signing replacement contract south_africa south_africa signed contract standard minor modifications meet requirements deliveries commenced april april aircraft aircraft single delivered establishment fighter weapon school air force base south_africa consideration july ruled option lack local support initiative thailand alternative location considered czech air base april december south african contractors held prime responsibility maintenance work fleet support contracts expired arrangement led fears extended operations possible lack proper maintenance december awarded long term support contract company perform engineering maintenance support services march south african defense minister stated half stored insufficient budget flying september decided place number long term storage instead aircraft rotated flying cycles short term storage speaking september brigadier general testified met minimum requirements country faced military threats thailand thailand parliament authorized spend billion billion effort replace thailand existing fleet february ordered single seat models seat models deliveries began thailand ordered november deliveries began thailand eventually order thailand selected main operating base aircraft delivered february delivered april september september stated thailand interested purchasing aircraft near future pending government approval commander general stated air force intends information systems integrated army navy systems armed forces officially united_kingdom united_kingdom advanced fast jet training test pilots operates aircraft potential future operators shown interest leading opening office country interested purchasing surplus model order possibly extended replace fourteen canadian air force fighters years old officials believe acquisition fighter jet deal sixteen looking replace fighter jet fleet brazil october brazil selected finalists fighter programme boeing super initially planned possibly later replace aircraft february submitted tender january reports claimed final evaluation report placed ahead contenders decisive factor reportedly lower unit cost operational costs amid delays financial constraints reports selection selection december president announced selection key decision factors domestic manufacturing opportunities participation developing potential exports africa asia latin_america argentina ecuador interested brazil mexico considered export target factor distrust surveillance scandal immune foreign pressure use component percentage veto sale argentina dispute argentina considering russian chinese aircraft instead deliveries begin brazil intends lease aircraft october brazil sweden signed billion contract aircraft delivered maintained swedish government provide year interest rate loan purchase aircraft assembled brazil brazilian companies involved production run delivered later billion price increase selection developments requested brazil wide area display inches display compensation package set billion times order value brazilian pilots trained sweden november april requirement delivered interested replace douglas carrier based fighters brazil sweden finalized deal development colombia offered colombia possible deliveries depending variant selected croatia deal including aircraft single seat models seat models valued million euro billion offered croatia stalled financial crisis croatian government government spending programmes october sweden announced bid croatia fighter replacement requirement following request information june newly built aircraft order replace croatian fleet aircraft according remain service result ongoing programmes run scheduled funding available replacement aircraft second hand country considered finland june working group set proposed starting program replace current fleet group recognises potential types boeing super lockheed december finnish sent letter great_britain france sweden united_states informing fighter project launched goal project replace fleet decommissioned multi role fighters project named mentioned letter potential fighter program request information concerning sent april tender sent spring buying decision scheduled place poland contender fighters started december polish defence minister announced block selection according selection heavily influenced lucrative offset agreement totaling billion offset billion offset political emphasis poland strategic relationship nato offered described decision political according polish military defence vice minister offer better included research participation proposals poland plans purchase combat aircraft replace polish air_force fleet ground attack aircraft fighters open tender procedure include lightning typhoon boeing advanced super slovakia august czech_republic slovakia sweden signed letter intent agreeing operate lead acquisition aircraft letter intent laid foundation operation common surveillance slovakia czech_republic slovakia looking replace fighters reported aircraft choice requirement open competition seek lease fighters buy neighbouring hungary czech_republic switzerland january submit bids replace nation fleet responded initial proposal july contenders november swiss government announced decision buy aircraft billion swiss confidential report tests contenders leaked rated performing substantially assessed satisfactory reconnaissance unsatisfactory combat air patrol strike missions evaluated bid parliamentary security commission found offered risks voted ahead option considered satisfactory roles august plan order confirmed swedish swiss authorities deliveries expected run fixed price billion billion including development costs mission planning systems initial support training certification swedish government guaranteed price performance operational leased train swiss pilots allow retired moved increase swiss industry deal value swiss parliament upper house voted deal financing august approved purchase followed lower upper houses parliament approval september elements left center political spectrum criticized unnecessary expensive swiss voters voted plan national referendum according press questioned role manned fighter aircraft general relevance alternatives surface air missiles capabilities april switzerland set replacement programme favourite nations expressed interest include argentina versions brazil subject veto austria versions belgium bulgaria canada colombia brazil croatia possibly newly built ecuador brazil estonia finland india sea indonesia kenya lithuania malaysia mexico brazil peru brazil philippines portugal serbia slovakia brazil vietnam head exports stated chances improved nations commitments defense analysis enterprise attributed difficulty securing export sales swedish government inability offer sort strategic partnership rival aircraft manufacturing nations september ceo said envisioned sales reach aircraft failed bids denmark denmark signed memorandum understanding defence ministers sweden denmark evaluate replacement denmark fleet denmark requested development variants featuring powerful engines larger longer range additional request contributed decision proceed development denmark repeatedly delayed purchase decision indicated contenders danish purchase alongside boeing lockheed martin joint strike fighter denmark partner programme invested million final selection fighters expected swedish government announced july withdrawal danish competition having chosen respond invitation tender finland export bid finland competed replace fleet announced winner performance cost grounds finnish minister defence stated delays development schedule hurt chances competition india contender indian competition combat aircraft april offered india tender opened office order support efforts indian market february announced partnered india develop new variant fit india needs conducted extensive field trials evaluated flight performance logistics capability weapons systems advanced sensors weapons firing april rejected bid favour senior officials happy improved capabilities identified high reliance supplied hardware including electronics weaponry engine factor ability exported order cut aircraft indicated willingness set joint production india netherlands july netherlands announced evaluate competitors response offered aircraft august december reported netherlands evaluated having better performance price relation january claimed according swedish sources offered deliver billion billion euro cheaper norway january issued request binding information rbi issued offer april november selection lightning announced stating candidate meet operational requirements media reports claimed requirements favour sweden defence minister stated norway cost calculations flawed offer years norway operating aircraft years doubling cost cost projections failed relate operational costs norway calculated greater attrition losses sweden considered reasonable according norway decision complicated export deals december leaked united_states diplomatic cables revealed united_states deliberately delayed sweden request access radar norway selection cables indicated norwegian consideration norway decided purchase high level political pressure candidates replace typhoon selected ended romania went instead variants initial version entered service number upgraded standard seat version training specialised missions type conversion fit second crew member life support systems internal cannon internal fuel tank removed airframe lengthened nato compatible version extended capabilities terms armament electronics etc flight seat version similar alterations improved version following demo technology changes include powerful engine radar increased fuel capacity additional improvements improvements reportedly increased costs estimated swiss hour increased cost million swiss single seat production version developed program sweden brazil ordered variant flight prototype expected seat version variant ordered brazil developed assembled planned pilot training combat seat air battle management information warfare network attack weapon system officer electronic warfare roles proposals proposed carrier based version based development underway brazil india interested proposed combat aerial vehicle variant proposed electronic war variant operators service military users january brazil ordered aircraft czech_republic lease serve tactical squadron include single seat models seat models operation january hungary operates models model lease buy arrangement january south_africa south african air force ordered aircraft single seat models models delivery took place april squadron sweden originally ordered aircraft including sweden aircraft czech including inventory january approximately operational use including models refitted level thailand ordered single seat including use january delivered april september october thai government announced intention purchase fighter squadron united_kingdom operates training instructor pilots students undergo training fly training campaigns year spring autumn agreement renewed aircraft display second prototype display single seat serial displayed wing swedish government donated thailand display accidents incidents july involved incidents including hull loss accidents loss life crashes respectively occurred public displays resulted considerable negative media reports crash filmed news crew led calls previous critics project cancel development altogether second crash occurred area island stockholm water festival tens thousands spectators present decision display large crowds publicly criticised compared crash crashes related flight control software issues specifications data williams general characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area weight loaded weight max takeoff weight powerplant dry thrust lbf thrust lbf wheel track performance maximum speed mph high altitude combat radius nmi ferry range drop tanks service ceiling wing loading thrust weight maximum load armament guns revolver cannon rounds single seat models wing fuselage provisions carry combinations rockets rocket pods rockets missiles iris anti ship missile bombs laser guided bomb cluster bomb mark bombs
Saab JAS 39 Gripen