Saab Group is a Swedish aerospace and defence company. It was founded in 1937. Saab is producing jets since 1940. They started with bomber jets.
Saab 17 was the first bomber-reconnaissance aircraft they produced. Later their focus shifted toward fighter jets. Right now Saab is known for its fighter jets especially Saab JAS 39 Gripen which is one of the most advanced 4th generation single-engine multirole fighter aircraft right now.
The journey of fighter jet manufacturing of Saab started with Saab 29 Tunnan
Saab 29 Tunnan
Saab 29 tunnan was a first-generation turbojet-powered fighter aircraft. It made its first flight on 1 September 1948 and was entered service in 1951. Swedish Air Force and Austrian Air Force are the primary users of Tunnan. The Tunnan was equipped with a single de Havilland Ghost turbojet engine, capable of generating up to 5,000lb of thrust. It was capable of powering the aircraft to speeds in excess of 650 MPH. It was retired in 1976. The total number of aircraft built was 661
Saab 32 Lansen
The Saab 32 Lansen was a two-seat, transonic military aircraft. It made its first flight on 3 November 1952 and was entered service in 1956. Three principal variants of the Lansen were built for attack (A 32A), fighter (J 32B), and reconnaissance (S 32C). During its long operational life, the Saab 32 also served as an electronic warfare platform and target-tug aircraft. The Lansen was powered by an afterburning Svenska Flygmotor RM5 turbojet engine.It was capable of powering the aircraft to speeds in excess of 745 MPH. It was retired in 1997. The total number of aircraft built was 450
Saab 35 Draken
The Saab 35 Draken was the first fully supersonic aircraft to be deployed in Western Europe. The Saab 35 Draken is a fighter aircraft, equipped with a distinctive “double-delta” wing. It made its first flight on 25 October 1955 and was entered service in 8 March 1960. The Draken was powered by a single Svenska Flygmotor RM6B/C turbojet engine. It was capable of powering the aircraft to speeds in excess of Mach 2.0. It was retired in 2005 . The total number of aircraft built was 651
Saab 37 Viggen
Saab JAS 39 Gripen
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light single-engine multirole fighter aircraft. It made its first flight on 9 December 1988 and was entered service on 1 November 1997. 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. A further version, designated Gripen JAS 39E/F, is under development. it has been referred to as Gripen NG or Super-JAS. The changes include the adoption of a new powerplant, the General Electric F414G, an active electronically scanned array radar and significantly increased internal fuel capacity. aab has proposed other derivatives, including a navalised Sea Gripen for carrier operations and an optionally manned aircraft for unmanned operations. Gripen is still in service. The total number of aircraft built is 247
Saab in manufacturing fighter jets for almost last 80 years. Saab surely has evolved from Tunnan to Gripen.
Today Gripen is one of the best 4th generation fighter jets. Soon we will see Saab starting its fifth generation fighter jets too
