F-39E Gripen E Fighter Jet

Full Specifications

The F-39E Gripen E, known internationally as the Saab JAS 39E Gripen, represents a highly capable 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet designed for versatility in contested environments. Developed as an evolution of the proven Gripen family, this single-engine supersonic aircraft emphasizes affordability, maintainability, and rapid deployment. It excels in short runway operations, making it suitable for dispersed basing and austere conditions—key advantages for nations seeking high readiness without excessive infrastructure costs.

Manufacturer

Saab AB, a Swedish aerospace and defense company, manufactures the Gripen E. Sweden designed it with strong emphasis on independence, interoperability with NATO standards, and low lifecycle costs. Brazil assembles the aircraft locally under license as the F-39E/F-39F through a partnership with Embraer.

Speed and Range

Powered by the General Electric F414G afterburning turbofan, the Gripen E achieves a maximum speed of Mach 2 and supports supercruise. It offers enhanced range with approximately 40% more internal fuel than earlier variants, providing a ferry range of up to 4,000 km with external tanks and a combat radius around 800–1,300 km depending on configuration.

Variant (in table)

Cost/Price The unit cost of the Gripen E is approximately $85 million, depending on configuration, making it one of the more affordable modern fighters with competitive operating costs around $22,000 per flight hour.

The Gripen E integrates advanced technologies including the Leonardo Raven ES-05 AESA radar, Skyward-G IRST, Arexis electronic warfare suite, and sensor fusion for enhanced situational awareness. It supports a wide array of NATO-compatible weapons across ten hardpoints with a payload capacity up to 7,200 kg. Its design prioritizes pilot-centric interfaces, such as a large wide-area display, and high survivability through electronic attack capabilities rather than pure stealth shaping.

Operators include Sweden (60 on order) and Brazil (F-39E/F), with additional orders from countries like Colombia and Thailand. It has seen no major combat deployments yet but undergoes rigorous testing and integration for air defense, strike, and reconnaissance missions.