Saab Viggen

Saab Viggen
The Saab 37 Viggen (English: Thunderbolt) was a Swedish single-seat, single-engine, short-medium range fighter and attack aircraft, manufactured between 1970 and 1990. Several variants were produced to perform the roles of all-weather fighter-interceptor, ground-attack and photo-reconnaissance, as well as a two-seat trainer.

Saab Viggen AJ 37


The AJ 37 was designed to carry two RB 04E anti-ship missiles on the inboard wing pylons with an optional third missile on the centerline pylon. An optional load consisted of two RB 05A air-to-surface missiles on the fuselage pylons. The RB 05A was later replaced by Rb 75 TV-guided missiles. In a ground-attack role, a combination of unguided 135 mm rockets in sextuple pods and 120 kg fragmentation bombs on quadruple-mounts could be used. Self-defense was provided with either ECM or 30 mm ADEN cannon pods with 150 rounds of ammunition on the inboard wing pylons.

For the secondary air-to-air role and self-defence, the Rb 28 IR-missile was initially selected, but was never used due to poor performance. This left the outboard wing pylons unutilised as the Rb 28 was the only missile integrated there up until the AJS modernisation. Instead, Rb 24/Rb 24J were used on the fuselage pylons and inboard wing pylons or in combination with optional 30 mm underwing ADEN cannon pods.

Saab Viggen JA 37


With the introduction of the JA 37 in 1979 came the Ericsson PS 46/A radar capable of guiding the two semi-active radar homing Rb 71 missiles on the fuselage pylons simultaneously in combination with Rb 24J/Rb 24J air-to-air missiles. Unlike the strike variant a KCA 30mm Oerlikon internal cannon was carried as well as 126 rounds, in a conformal pod under the fuselage. The firing rate was selectable at 22 or 11 rounds. The KCA cannon fired 50% heavier shells at higher velocity than the older ADENs, giving a much higher kinetic energy. This, in conjunction with the fire control system, allowed air-to-air engagements at longer range than other fighters. The unguided cannon and rocket pods were available in the secondary ground-attack role.


 * Tech Level: 6
 * Damage Base: 18
 * Min./Max. Airspeed: 3/23
 * Maneuver (Loaded): 3 (4)
 * Aerobatic (Loaded): 0 (-1)
 * Defence (Loaded): 15 (13)
 * Climb Rate (Loaded): 2 (1)
 * Shallow/Steep/Power/Vertical Dives: 2/3/5/7
 * Operational Ceiling: 12
 * Stores External/Pylon/Internal: 5/2/0
 * Guns: 1x 30mm Cannon
 * Cost: 1188
 * Maintenance Cost: 95