AJS 37 Viggen

- STOL Fighter-Interceptor -

Overview
The SAAB Viggen (Thunderbolt) was developed as a successor to the J 35 Draken (Dragon). The first studies aimed at replacing the Draken were carried out in 1952 and 1957; construction began in 1964 with the very first prototype taking flight in 1967. The goal was to produce an aircraft with excellent STOL performance that would enable it to operate from improvised facilities, such as roads and highways.

Other requirements included supersonic ability at low level, Mach 2 performance at altitude and the ability to make short landings at low angles of attack (to avoid damaging most runways). The Viggen like it's predecessor the Draken, was intended to perform various roles; the initial AJ 37 was a dedicated attack aircraft, the SK 37 training aircraft, the SF 37 reconaissance variant, SH 37 maritime reconaissance, and finally the JA 37 interceptor. Despite it's exceptional performance; the Viggens were slowly phased out in favor of the more advanced JAS 39 Gripen, which could perform virtually all of the Viggen's roles, with a single aircraft. As of 2007, the Viggen is no longer in service with the Swedish Airforce.

Origin: (Real World)
Sweden

Featured In
Ace Combat 2 Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

Operators
Aurelian Air Force Leasath Air Force Usean Rebel Force

Ace Squadrons/Pilots
Sabre (ACX)

Variants
SF-37

Weapons
Gun / 1 x 30mm Oerlikon Cannon MSSL / 2 x AIM-9M Sidewinder UGB / Mk.82 (ACX) LASM / AGM-84 Harpoon (ACX) SAAM / AIM-7M Sparrow (ACX)