The Saab 37 Viggen (Swedish “the tufted duck”) is a retired Swedish single-seat, single-engine, short-medium range combat aircraft. Development work on the type was initiated at Saab in 1952 and, following the selection of a radical delta wing configuration, the resulting aircraft performed its first flight on 8 February 1967 and entered service in 21 June 1971.
Several distinct variants of the Viggen were produced to perform the roles of strike fighter (AJ 37), aerial reconnaissance (SF 37), maritime patrol aircraft (SH 37) and a two-seat trainer (SK 37). In the late 1970s, the all-weather fighter-interceptor aircraft JA 37 variant was introduced. In November 2005, the Viggen was retired from service by the Swedish Air Force, the only operator, having been replaced by the newer Saab JAS 39 Gripen.
Manufacturer: Saab AB
First flight: 8 February 1967
Introduction: 21 June 1971 (AJ 37)
Retired: 26 June 2007 (SK 37E)
Primary user: Swedish Air Force
Produced: 1970–1990
Number built: 329
AJ 37 model
Primarily a single-seat ground-attack fighter aircraft (AJ: Attack-Jakt), with a secondary fighter role. RM8A powerplant. PS 37A radar. First delivery in mid-1971, 108 built, with serial numbers 37001-37108. 48 airframes upgraded to AJS 37. Partially decommissioned in 1998.
