Swedish Gripens.

Another Swedish Gripen in a high-alpha pass.  Note the canard deflection.

A great formation shot that shows the differences between the single- and two-seat aircraft to good advantage.

A great formation shot that shows the differences between the single- and two-seat aircraft to good advantage.

There is a very good Wikipedia entry here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Gripen

To find out more here is the Gripen web site with lots of information:

http://www.gripen.com/en/index.htm

For an in-depth, under-the-skin look at this remarkable aircraft, go here:

http://www.gripen.com/NR/rdonlyres/1F0C4656-5937-4483-918B-7FF455AEB126/0/Whatever_Cutaway.pdf

For more outstanding photos (and the source for most of these), check:

http://www.airliners.net

For some good--but dated--technical information, check here:

http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/gripen

For the highly anticipated (at least from our web guru) return of the LOOTM we looked to an light-weight European jet fighter with futuristic design and capable performance--The Saab Gripen (Griffon).

There are hundreds of these beautiful aircraft now in service, both single seat and two seat versions.  The aircraft are used by Sweden, Hungary, South Africa and the Czech Republic.  Control is fly-by-wire as one would expect from a "4.5 generation" jet fighter.  The canards are highly articulating, giving the delta-winged jet awesome maneuverability.

The Griffon is a mythical beast with the head and legs of an eagle and the body of a lion.  Sir Thomas Browne says the Griffon is emblematical of watchfulness, courage, perseverance, and rapidity of execution--perfect for a fighter jet.

The December LOOTM, the Saab Gripen.  Enjoy, and..

Happy Holidays!