Our numbers
Derived metrics
Computed by aircraft.fyi from the core specification — see how we calculate these.
Range per tonne#7 of 65
242.4 km/t maximum range ÷ MTOW in tonnes
Span-to-length ratio#64 of 68
0.57 wingspan ÷ fuselage length
Weight per metre#60 of 68
1.09 t/m MTOW ÷ fuselage length
Range in hours#57 of 65
1.6 h maximum range ÷ cruise speed
Sense of scale
How big is it, really?
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen's wingspan, against things you already know the size of.
Specification
The numbers
| Length | 15.20 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 8.60 m |
| Height | 4.50 m |
| MTOW | 16,500 kg |
| Max speed | 2,470 km/h |
| Range | 4,000 km |
| Crew | 1 |
| First flight | 1988 |
| Built | 270 |
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Last verified: 2026-07-20 · Spot an error? business@luck.fyi
The story
What makes it different
Turnaround by six people in ten minutes, from a 800 m stretch of road. The smallest wingspan of any modern fighter.
Against a 8.60 m wingspan the Gripen carries 16,500 kg at maximum takeoff weight and reaches 2,470 km/h. First flight was 1988, and 270 were built.
Common questions
Saab JAS 39 Gripen — the short answers
How fast is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen?
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen cruises at about 2,470 km/h — roughly 1334 knots, or 1,535 mph.
How far can the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fly?
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen has a maximum range of about 4,000 km (2,160 nautical miles, 2,486 miles). At its cruise speed that is roughly 1.6 hours in the air.
Is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen still in production?
Status: In production — in service. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen first flew in 1988, and about 270 have been built.
How big is the Saab JAS 39 Gripen?
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is 15.2 m long with a wingspan of 8.6 m and a height of 4.5 m. Its maximum takeoff weight is 16,500 kg.
Variants
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen line
Compare
Put it next to something
- Saab JAS 39 Gripen vs General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon →
- Saab JAS 39 Gripen vs Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II →
Sources
Primary sources
Further reading