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Saab JAS 39 Gripen facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a super cool and fast fighter aircraft. It's known as a "fourth-generation" jet, meaning it uses advanced technology from its time.

How the Gripen Was Born

The Gripen was designed by a Swedish company called Saab. They built it for the Swedish Air Force. The idea for this new airplane came from Sweden's Minister of Defence, Torsten Gustafsson. The plan was officially approved by the Swedish Parliament in 1982.

What the Gripen Can Do

The Gripen is special because it's one of the first planes that can do many jobs at once. It's a "multi-role" aircraft. This means it can be a fighter (to attack other planes), an attack plane (to hit targets on the ground or sea), and a reconnaissance plane (to take photos and videos).

The name "JAS 39" actually tells you what it does:

  • J stands for "Jakt" (pronounced "yakt"), which is Swedish for "Hunting." This means it can fight other planes in the air.
  • A stands for "Attack." This means it can attack targets on the ground or in the sea.
  • S stands for "Spaning" (pronounced "spah-ning"), which is Swedish for "Reconnaissance." This means it can gather information by taking pictures and videos.

The name Gripen was chosen in a contest in the early 1980s. It means "griffin," which is a mythical creature that is part lion and part eagle.

Saab JAS-39 Gripen
Saab JAS 39 Gripen

For many years, the Gripen has been a very important plane for the Swedish Air Force. Recently, the Swedish government decided to get the newest version of this amazing plane, called the Gripen E. Saab is now working with the Swedish Defence Material Administration to develop and update these new Gripen E planes.

Images for kids

  • Flares (5598703900)

    Czech Gripen deploying defensive flares, 2011

  • Saab JAS-39 of the Swedish Air Force undergoing inflight refuelling from a TP 84 Hercules (6803019594)

    A Swedish Air Force Gripen undergoing in-flight refuelling

  • Saab JAS-39C Gripen, Sweden - Air Force AN2279593

    Underside of a Gripen in flight, 2012

  • Saab JAS-39C Gripen MFD at ADAS 2018

    JAS-39C Gripen cockpit

  • Saab Gripen NG cabina

    Cockpit of Brazilian Gripen NG with Wide Area Display

  • Klargoring av JAS 39 Gripen pa F17, Kallinge Sverige (4)

    A technician inspecting a Gripen's RM12 engine in-situ

  • Gripen taking off from road runway

    Gripen taking off from a road runway, that were part of the Bas 90 system.

  • Gripen - RIAT 2010 (5737186379)

    JAS 39B Gripen in flight

  • 1025448 A Swedish JAS-39 Gripen returns to the play areas of the Arctic Challenge exercise Sept. 24, 2013

    A Swedish Gripen during an exercise, 2013

  • Air-to-air with a Czech Saab Gripen with AFB Čáslav in the background

    Czech Gripen with Čáslav AFB in the background

  • Czech JAS-39 Gripen over the Curonian Spit in 2012

    Pair of Czech Gripens during a Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania

  • Hungarian Air Force Saab JAS-39C Gripen Lofting-2

    Hungarian Air Force Gripen during inverted flight, 2007. Note the painted false canopy

  • SAAF-Gripen-001

    A South African Air Force JAS 39C Gripen in flight

  • RTAF Jas 39 Gripen

    Royal Thai Air Force Gripen

  • Gripen - RIAT 2008 (2689597919)

    An ETPS Gripen at RIAT 2008

  • Brazilian Gripen F-39E (cropped)

    Brazil's first F-39E Gripen flies over Brasília in October 2020

  • SAAB Gripen ready for take off at Aero India 2011

    Saab Gripen at Aero India 2011, Yelahanka Air Force Base, Bangalore

  • 2006JASGripen3JM

    JAS 39 Gripen taxiing in after display, Farnborough 2006

  • Royal Thai Air Force Jas-39 D

    Royal Thai Air Force JAS-39D, 2016

  • 23 10 2020 Comemoração do Dia do Aviador e da Força Aérea Brasileira (50521157591)

    Brazilian Air Force F-39E, 2020

  • 3 x Saab JAS-39 Gripen of the Czech Air Force in flight (1)

    Three Saab JAS 39C Gripens of the Czech Air Force

  • F 7 Såtenäs 10

    Saab JAS 39 Gripen on display at the Skaraborg Wing.

  • Gripen 5

    Gripen engine nozzle

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Saab 39 Gripen para niños

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