On December 3, 2019, Saab AB releases first images of a close-up view of Swedish Air Force Saab Gripen E “6002” in a brand new color scheme.
Saab has just released an extremely interesting photo of a Gripen E, the new multirole variant of the Jas-39 Gripen fighter, based on the proven C/D platforms, sporting a remarkable, never seen before splinter paint scheme:
it’s not clear whether this is going to become the standard Swedish camouflage, but for sure, the new scheme looks pretty cool.
Although “Splinter” paint schemes have become a distinguishing feature of U.S. Air Force Aggressors, Russian 4th and 5th generation aircraft, and also Iranian F-14s, a splinter camouflage pattern was also used by the Swedish JAS 39 predecessor: the Saab 37 Viggen.
On 18 May 2016, Saab unveiled the next-generation fighter, Gripen E, in a ceremony in Sweden. The first successful test flight of Gripen E (designation 39-8) happened on 15 June 2017. As of May 2018, the Gripen E had attained supersonic flight & was to commence load tests.
The aircraft is much similar to its predecessor: an IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track) bump in front of the cockpit in the nose section, as well as the missile warning system on the air intakes, are the main external differentiators.
According to Saab, 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. Sweden and Brazil have ordered this Gripen variant, with deliveries starting this year.
