JA-37D In War Thunder : A Basic Review

Taking a look at the JA-37D, the ultimate version of the Saab Viggen, in War Thunder.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro & History
01:19 Systems & Weapons
03:12 Flight Performance
04:55 Combat Tactics
06:47 Miscellaneous
07:51 Conclusions

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

I love the Viggens, my friend just got the AJ-37 and was devastated when he realized it didn't have the radar lead indicator lol.

[@theverminator8048]

Didnt he know that before he got it?

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@theverminator8048 In the patch notes for the lead indicators it said the “AJ-37” and the “AJ-37D” had received them. That paired with the fact that all the Viggens had them irl he assumed the strike Viggen had it as well.

[@lurtzy_]

@@DieErsteKartoffel The AJ-37 doesn't even have an Air Combat Radar, so that's not even possible.

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@lurtzy_ As far as I’m aware all the Drakens and Viggens had some sort of system to assist the pilot in aiming the gun at an air target. Perhaps as it does not come standard with a gun it did not have such a system but as far as I know it did.

[@Flaruwu]

@@lurtzy_ The ground radar of the AJ-37 can point itself upwards to help provide ranging info to the pilot.

[@rhaggs-4798]

The history is so cool to hear, always (to me at least) the most interesting parts of your videos, gives some much needed context to where and why the planes fly like they do. I cant wait for your review of the gripen when it comes out!

[@Cythil]

I really like the history part too. Giving the plane a bit of context. And for those that are not that interested in that bit, well the video has good book markings. There is a reason why Tim makes the best videos on War thunder, I think. (Even if his taste in the visuals of the planes can be a bit questionable. 😉But... He actually does mention if there is are skins and such, which is nice.)

[@TimsVariety]

You know, thats actually a big part of why I include the quick historical background. I started doing that back when the Mig-23M first came out and everyone on reddit was pissed it wasn't a super-maneuverable dogfighter, "downgrade from mig-21bis, wtf?" and all that. I felt it was important to explain WHY, it went over well so I've stuck with the format.

[@Rmmmmmmmmmmk]

I’ll second this, hell, Tim could make videos strictly about the history of the airframe and I’d still love it!

[@Divergent7899]

This is also my favorite part. I love history especially war history I love planes and really enjoy war thunder so always amazing videos to watch

[@sorrymabbad]

It's actually one of the main reasons I love Tim's videos. Anytime I want to to remember the quick history of a plane I look up if he's done a video on it first 😂

[@brother-captaincentureasoc1930]

Loving the new mic, sounds really clean now!

[@c.m.bellman5721]

The guy in charge of procurement for the Viggen, Greger Falk, recommended it be named "Falken" (The Falcoln). Wonder why

[@Thunderous117]

Thanks for the video Tim, the new mic was well worth the money it sounds fantastic. Keep up the great work!

[@pilotpug]

Tim, the way you explain these vids and with your calm voice make me watch and enjoy eventhough that particular aircraft doesn't appeal to me in WT. Thank you for your content.

[@TimsVariety]

You'd be surprised how often I hear that :-) o7

[@brianquinlan8891]

Thanks for the great review on this aircraft Tim! I’m really close to researching this now, only about 100k off, just need to get exams finished and then I’ll have this awesome jet in my collection :D

[@TimsVariety]

You won't regret it, its a great plane.

[@adrfarling5503]

Historically the upgraded countermeasure pods and the ability to use the RB74 wasn't new on the D model since the C model was equipped with it aswell

[@jaxastro3072]

Yup. Will be sweet when this thing gets AMRAAMs in the future

[@davidhume6275]

That would make Sweden too competitive maybe lol

[@baingo8475]

hey its out thanks m8 keep up the good work

[@Zachattack-ot2un]

I just realized that the British tech tree can get the grippen because of the South African sub tree

[@TimsVariety]

It'll be a BR14 premium for $100

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@TimsVariety I hope it doesn’t come to that

[@profshamrock9352]

I’m looking forward to the D model, since I love the Ja-37C. I just have to finish up the Finnish Mig-21 then I can start researching it. Also loved the Gripen shoutout at the end, I’m glad I’m not the only one looking forward to it

[@TimsVariety]

The Grippen is one of my favorites, super excited for it.

[@healusions]

Been grinding it w the Dorito for a minute now. RB24Js suffering since the IR patch.

[@NuubiTuubi1000]

I would want to like the Viggen, but the RB74 suck so bad these days, it's near useless. Also the 85 000 RP cost for tier IV mods is just pure pain.

[@TimsVariety]

The RP costs for upgrades on top-tier jets are just beyond absurd right now.

[@casualspawnpeeking3680]

They should just get rid of the stock grind entirely at this point like you honestly expect me to grind and pay hundreds of thousands of sl to make my plane preform at it's irl stock equivalent get real WT devs

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@casualspawnpeeking3680 I somewhat agree. I don’t think modifications should be eliminated entirely but I do think some should. That fact that certain tier jets are unplayable stock is goofy beyond belief and at certain ranks flares should be stock. The same way missiles aren’t stock in early jets but are in later ones.

[@Pain-Glory]

New tv video yes please!

[@spooderp1074]

wow, a jet with a lead indicator, nice to see radar gunsights added to WT

[@TimsVariety]

A few of the top-tier jets have it now, its itemized on the ballistics computer (not the radar) as EEGS. I'll be going into more detail with it the next time I update my radar tutorial (probably soon, after the next patch).

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@TimsVariety That’s a video I’m certainly looking forward to

[@PA-xm5jp]

Really now the only gripe I have with it is the lack of competent BVR missiles as the RB71(aka skyflash) is just sad

[@oskarpiskorek9945]

skyflashes are very good from my experience

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

Hopefully that gripe will be solved with the AMRAAM someday or at the very least soothed with a new gripeN

[@cat_clan_leader]

​@@DieErsteKartoffel unfortunately I doubt they will do that. They had a chance to give the F-4F AIM-9Ls like it had irl to increase its efficiency in game (Its a very sad jet atm) but instead they just reduced its br, which really didn't do anything.

[@bobbobson3616]

third (also thanks for the Swedish plane, they're one my favorite trees)

[@gogojoseph]

Is that a new mic/mic setting I detect? Or am I goign crazy?

[@TimsVariety]

New mic.

[@Amexel]

Personally I don’t see how more flares and better heatseekers are enough to warrant it being at 11.7 instead of 11.0, 11.3 would be a better BR imo. Though the effect would be very small now, when they add higher BR’s I hope they move it down, unless they plan to give it its AMRAAMs.

[@bootlegpete7984]

JA-37D at 11.0 or 11.3 would break the game. It's not really about it being completely out matched at 12.0 because it can still hold its own but if it where 11.0 then vehicles getting sucked up to that tier or the Viggen getting dropped down to 10.0-10.3 would just be ridiculously unfair.

[@TimsVariety]

As you alluded, I suspect they're going to add the 120's at some point, and almost everything at 11.0 is getting sucked up into 12.0 matches anyway right now.

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@bootlegpete7984 I agree. Do you think the MLD should be 11.7? I myself haven’t decided quite yet but I’m interested to see other peoples’ opinions on it and if not why?

[@bootlegpete7984]

@@DieErsteKartoffel I wouldn't say so, besides the overall flight performance of the MLD compared to 11.7's-12.0's it just doesn't have the radar or missiles to really compete with them, it's really fine at 11.3.

[@loisopipvjbjy]

@@bootlegpete7984 Gaijin nerfed the radar and the missiles on the JA37D and it looses the looks if the plane just spins and the MLD is probably better

[@viktorjan7698]

Wait so do you think/know if Gripen will be added? If so that would be huge! :D

[@TimsVariety]

Its been confirmed that its coming later this year.

[@viktorjan7698]

@@TimsVariety Thats awsome! Thanks a lot for taking your time to awnser! :)

[@ajtheflame9180]

My ass with the gripen watching this video full well I’ll probably never play the viggen consistently again

[@cheszeproductions]

Pretty sure the C version also gets EEGS

[@Kebido]

yes, but I think it was irrelevant during the time of that video he covered

[@vadoc9330]

This plane looks like rafale mixed with kfir 41 is it just me?

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

I can see that but it certainly has it’s own shape. That and it predated the Rafale.

[@einar8019]

its the other way around, the viggen is the orignial delta canard jet

[@rammen4]

We need the intro back!

[@TimsVariety]

Noted. A lot of people have said they liked it, but looking at the stats, viewer retention in the first minute is WAY up since I switched to the shorter one.

[@DieErsteKartoffel]

@@TimsVariety Sad to see it go but if it what the machine demands I suppose more engagement is worth the sacrifice

[@rammen4]

@@TimsVariety Damn, not gonna complain as you deserve the views and are by far the best WT KZbinr. But either way I wish it was back haha

[@Perseus4k]

first one to the vid of my fav wt plane

[@Glockad79]

So... im a swede and quit everything when the swedes came. But now im eager for a top jet... I got the AJ37, not the JA, but realy soon. And in russia or US i have like mig 21 and close to F4. WHat should i go for? JA37C/D and later JAS 39, is probably cheaper then going for US navy jets or f16. Or the russian and the MIG. BUt what will give me most joy? And yea... i will probably make it a bit faster with cash... I guess US and RU will give me more options later on... But still... Need to find some joy in the game. Lost it..

[@Red_Lion2000]

How is the aim9L one of the best weapons in the game? xD unless you are flying the f14, most of the time all you need to do is press the flare button once to avoid it.

[@Crusher99a]

Often when launched from the rear or the side they are rather difficult to flare in comparison with other missles at top tier. I’d argue that the 9 L is definitely one of the better weapons in the game at the moment. It’s pull is 30 g’s (being competitive with everything at top tier) and it’s more flare resistant than other ir’s.

[@TimsVariety]

Its a simple matter of it's stats. Combat tactics are an x-factor, and impossible to enumerate, so when people (myself included) compare missiles we're usually comparing the raw stats - and the 9L is one of the best 2 or 3 IR missiles in the game right now (depending how heavily you factor range).

[@Red_Lion2000]

@@Crusher99a They arent difficult to flare from the rear unless you are flying an f14. From the side a 9L will eat the flare every time unless the flares are released at like 400 meters away. Radar missiles and guns are dangerous, 9L isnt going to trouble someone who sees it coming and isnt braindead.

[@Red_Lion2000]

@@TimsVariety Its just that IR missiles arent really dangerous. even a bad pilot can evade them with the push of a button, unless they are flying the f14.

[@jaidenheger20005]

unrelated to this video or any other recently, but i personally think gaijin wont add the f15 for a long time possibly november next year or much later, because like the Viggen it too has AIM-120s and that competes with the R-40 possibly or even R-73… i know this is irrelevant but wanted to say something to someone without being attacked like other channels allow

[@TimsVariety]

Its really hard to predict. We got the Mig-29 and F-16 way sooner than I expected, but got the Tornado much later than I expected, so my crystal ball hasn't been working very well recently ;-) I figure when they finally add more active-radar missiles, we'll probably get a whole slate of planes with them at the same time for balance reasons. Just a guess though.

[@jaidenheger20005]

@@TimsVariety Oh, i absolutely agree i have been thinking about it for weeks and trying to find the right spot to fit it all in but we wont know til the time arrives. excited but worried at the same time, especially after the AIM 54 got a small buff.

[@WarguyPlayz]

I still feel like the C model had better acceleration and turning then the D model.

[@TimsVariety]

I didn't pull out the stopwatch, but both felt almost identical (after the drop tank was off).

[@davidhume6275]

The Gripen is years away is it not? What is next for real though because Sweden is useless when youre up against F14s, F4s, F5, Migs, F16s.... Sweden is a non compete, I havent played them in ages

[@TimsVariety]

One of the devs had commented online that its coming this year.

[@davidhume6275]

@@TimsVariety theres gotta be a whole lot coming then!

[@BasTSLA]

Very bad jet at 12.0 their is no way of dog fighting these jets

[@gabrielm.6987]

first

[@ja37d-34]

36 probably includes one at FC, Försökscentralen - the trial department kinda. And there was a further upgrade later, Di - interoperability. Kinda NATO-rized with knots and feet instead of km/h and meter. The "D" was really about the U95 (passive, active in the Sk 37E) jamming pod and the RB 99s/AIM 120s. But there were several "Edits" during the Viggen´s time so D is not the best thing to use when talking about it.. Closing the airbrakes, the radar aiming for the gun etc came in during various" Edits". Kinda like software updates. SAAB was way ahead in that kind of thing, as were the Viggen versions..

[@ja37d-34]

The "hunchback" actually had a name - "Rimforsa-bulan" after SAAB´s - eh what´s the name? They have a place in Rimforsa for lecturing, kinda. And that is where they came up with that shape to mitigate the loadout´s impact on the airframe, or something like that. it worked and I don´t mind the look. :)

[@TimsVariety]

Yep. I simplified a bit, instead of going down the 5-minute rabbithole with all the small midlife-updates the major models (C, D, Di, etc) got, but the capability for firmware updating was ahead of its time for sure.

[@ja37d-34]

@@TimsVariety Well, it is more about the updates than B, C, D and Di really. Those does not mean much. All that was not upgraded to D status became C.. Kinda. those letters aren´t as important as for other aircraft, it is those "Edits" that are it. But i understand why, as you said. I wonder if twatjin will make us grind another one - the Di - for us to get RB 99/AMRAAMs.. Wouldn´t surprise me. In the slightest..

[@TimsVariety]

@@ja37d-34 Or it'll be a premium for like $100 .....

[@ja37d-34]

@@TimsVariety Haha, yeah - could be.. To just grind the gripen A..