Gripen is a fly-by-wire multirole aircraft that is supposed to replace all versions of J37 Viggen and J35 Draken. The fly-by-wire system means that the movement of the stick is processed in a computer which then moves he rudders with hydraulics in the way that best correspond to the movement of the stick. This will also make the aircraft almost "immune" to stalling.

The development of JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin)(JAS stands for Jakt/Fighter Attack/Attack and Spaning/Reconnaissance) began in 1980. It is led by IG-JAS (Industrial Group JAS), a consortium led by SAAB Military Aircraft.

The first prototype flew in 1988 but the development has been delayed by two crashes. Unfortunately one occurred during an airshow at the Stockholm Water Festival, the plane crashed just a few meters from a bridge crowded with spectators.

Both accidents occurred because of faults in the computer software. Even though the programme has received all lot of criticism it hasn't been stopped and the Swedish AF has ordered two batches of JAS including 140 aircraft (126 JAS 39A single-seat aircraft and 14 two-seat JAS 39B training aircraft).

A third batch with the improved JAS 39C (improved avionics and a more powerful engine) will probably be ordered. SAAB and its partner British Aerospace also have high hopes of exporting JAS.