Gripens' Capabilities

A proven militia capable multi-role fighter – fulfils all of Switzerland's requirements. Gripen was designed with ease of handling in mind – both for the pilot and his ground crew – and in Sweden is maintained by conscripts which makes it a perfect match for the militia force in Switzerland.

Gripen the new generation fighter

Gripen is the first new generation multi-role fighter in the world that can perform such a complete range of different roles. It is suitable for reconnaissance and monitoring (air policing) missions as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.

The Gripen system

The Gripen system is designed for the continuous development. New sensors and weapons are easy to integrate thus making Gripen flexible and cost effective to develop further when new technologies become available. In the Swiss fighter procurement competition Gripen is currently the only platform with the ability to support testing of the advanced next generation BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile) missile METEOR.

Air combat

Gripen is one of the most agile fighters around. Its highly developed aerodynamic construction and triplex digital flight control system, combined with its world-beating new-generation weapons system, gives it enormous advantages in air combat.

Digital cockpit

Gripen has a state-of-the-art, fully integrated digital cockpit with clear, manageable displays and Hands-On-Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) controls. This, along with the on-board integrated data link capability, gives the Gripen pilot total Situation Awareness and, when combined with the advanced weapons, gives the pilot a decisive edge in combat situations.

Versatile sensor system

The sensor system is versatile and includes a long-range multi-mode radar of the latest generation, Infra-Red sensors and the fully integrated Electronic Warfare Suite. Data from the sensor suite is combined or "fused" to provide the pilot with a complete operational picture.