Sweden's Gripen Fighter, worlds best second-tier jet.

Low cost, Highly effective, that what the Saab JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet was designed to be.

The Gripen (Griffen) is not meant to be a top tier fighter like the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 or the American F-35, but rather a low cost and low maintenance option for countries that do not expect to engage in serious conflicts, but will be ready to fight if needed.

It costs between $30 - $60 million however it is reported to have the lowest operational cost of any modern fighter, coming in at $4,700 per flight hours, ($7,000 for the F-16)

There are 158 Gripens in service (as of 2016).

Countries that operate the Saab JAS 39 Gripen are:

• Brazil with (estimated) 3, ( 1 confirmed)

• Czech Republic with 14

• Hungary with 14

• South Africa with 26

• Thailand with 8

• The United Kingdom ( number not confirmed) uses the Gripen for training

• Sweden with 74 and another 60 being ordered.

The Gripen is known for its small size and lost cost, when compared to other fighter jets in its tier, such as the F-14, F-15, F-16, Mig-29 and Su-27 on top of being cheaper, it is considered a much better alternative, as the lessons learned from the tried and tested Gripen equivalents, could have been applied in its design, ditching the idea of stealth to lower costs and focusing on performance.

The specifications very from variant to variant, however the JAS 39C/D's specs are as follows:

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 (C) / 2 (D)

• Length: 14.1m (C) / 14.8m (D)

• Wingspan: 8.4m

• Height: 4.5m

• Wing area: 30M square

• Empty Weight: 6,800kg

• Max takeoff weight: 14,000kg

• Internal Fuel capacity: 3,000L

• Powerplant: 1 x Volvo RM12 afterburning turbofan engine, 54kN thrust dry, 80.5kN with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: 2,460km/h or Mach 2

• Combat range: 800km

• Ferry range: 3,200km

• Service ceiling: 15,240m

• G limits: +9 / -3

• Wing loading: 283kg/m²

• Thrust/weight: 0.97

• Takeoff distance: 400m

• Landing distance: 500m

Armament

• Guns: 1x27mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon, 120 rounds (single-seat models only)

• Hardpoints: 8 (2 under fuselage, 2 under, 1 on the tip of each wing) 5,300kg

• Rockets: 4 Rocket pods, 13.5cm rockets

Avionics

• Radar: PS-05/A Pulse-doppler

Source: Wikipedia

The fighter jet has been referred to as the "Future of fighters," it is yet to see any combat, as much as people want to see it in action, lets hope no one's hand is forced to deploy this impressive fighter.