Why the Gripen E is the best fighter jet in the world

The Gripen E is a Swedish multirole fighter aircraft that is designed to counter advanced adversaries and provide strategic deterrence. It is the latest and most advanced version of the Gripen family, which has been in service with several air forces around the world since the 1990s. The Gripen E combines high performance, low cost, and easy maintenance, making it an ideal choice for modern warfare. In this blog post, we will explore the features and advantages of the Gripen E, and compare it with other rival fighters, such as the Sukhoi Su-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the F-35.

Features and advantages of the Gripen E

The Gripen E has many features and advantages that make it a superior fighter jet. Here are some of them:

• It is relatively cheap, costing less than one-third of the F-35, and has a low operating cost per hour. This means that it is affordable and sustainable for both small and large air forces.
• It is easy to maintain and can operate from short runways and dispersed bases. This means that it can be deployed quickly and flexibly, and can operate from remote and austere locations.
• It has a powerful engine and a larger fuel capacity than previous versions, giving it a longer range and better performance. It can fly at speeds of over Mach 2, and can perform supercruise, which is the ability to fly at supersonic speeds without using afterburners.
• It has an updated radar system called the Raven ES-05, which is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that can track multiple targets and provide high-resolution images. It also has an infrared search and track (IRST) system, which can detect and track heat sources, such as enemy aircraft and missiles.
• It has a wide array of weapons, including guided glide bombs, long-range air-to-air missiles, heavy anti-ship armaments, and a 27 mm Mauser BK27 gun. It can carry up to 16 weapons on 10 hardpoints, and can switch between air-to-air and air-to-ground modes seamlessly.
• It has a smart, scalable warhead called the Taurus KEPD 350, which is a long-range cruise missile that can penetrate hardened targets and cause massive damage. It has a range of over 500 km, and can be programmed to fly at different altitudes and trajectories, avoiding enemy defenses.
• It has a network-centric warfare capability, which means it can share data and communicate with other platforms and systems, such as satellites, ground stations, and other aircraft. It can also act as a mini-AWACS, providing situational awareness and command and control for friendly forces.
• It has a high survivability and a low radar signature, thanks to its stealth design and electronic warfare suite, which can jam and deceive enemy radars and missiles. It also has a self-protection system, which can detect and counter incoming threats, such as infrared and radar-guided missiles.

Comparison with other rival fighters

The Gripen E is not only a great fighter jet on its own, but also a formidable opponent for other rival fighters, such as the Sukhoi Su-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the F-35. Here are some of the advantages that the Gripen E has over them:

• It is more cost-effective and more reliable than the F-35, which has been plagued by technical issues and delays. The F-35 is the most expensive fighter jet in history, costing over $100 million per unit, and has a high maintenance and operational cost. The F-35 also suffers from various problems, such as software glitches, engine failures, and structural cracks.
• It is more agile and more versatile than the Su-35, which is a heavy and complex fighter that relies on brute force. The Su-35 is a modified version of the Su-27, which dates back to the 1980s. It has a large and heavy airframe, which limits its maneuverability and stealth. The Su-35 also has a limited range and payload, and lacks a network-centric warfare capability.
• It is more modern and more adaptable than the Typhoon, which is an older and less flexible fighter that lacks some of the Gripen E’s features, such as AESA radar and network-centric warfare. The Typhoon is a product of the 1990s, and has not been upgraded significantly since then. It has a smaller and less powerful radar, which limits its detection and tracking capabilities. It also has a less advanced electronic warfare suite, and a less diverse weapons portfolio.

Conclusion

The Gripen E is a unique and efficient package that can dominate the battlefield and kill Sukhois. It is a multirole fighter that can perform both air superiority and strike missions, and can operate in any environment and scenario. It is a cheap and easy to maintain fighter that can be deployed and operated by any air force. It is a modern and adaptable fighter that can integrate and cooperate with other platforms and systems. It is a survivable fighter that can evade and counter enemy threats. It is, in short, the best fighter jet in the world.