AJS-37

AJS-37 Viggen

AJS37 Viggen is a Swedish cold war era strike aircraft designed by SAAB AB. It is a 90's modernization of the older 60's era jet AJ37 designed to give the aircraft enhanced capabilities in the reconnaissance (S) and strike (A) roles. AJ37 was Sweden's first attempt at a multi-role fighter and while it did not achieve true multi-role capabilities, it could still perform a variety of roles albeit with some limitations.

Because AJ37 did not achieve true multi-role capabilities, several variants of the Viggen were built, these are:

AJ37 - Regular Viggen, capable of strike and limited air to air but lacks reconnaissance capabilities.
SH37 - Spaningsviggen Hav (Recon Viggen Ocean), used for maritime patrol. It was equipped with a different radar (the PS 371/A) which had longer range than the PS 37/A used on the AJ37.
SF37 - Spaningsviggen Foto (Recon Viggen Photo), had a camera in the nose instead of a radar. It was used for optical reconnaissance.
SK37 - Skolviggen (School Viggen), used to train new pilots and was two-seated.
JA37 - Jaktviggen (Hunting Viggen), air to air viggen. Better radar, newer computer, and better air to air missile armament.
AJS37 - A 90's modernization of AJ37 with capabilities to carry newer weapon systems and reconnaissance equipment.

The variant of the Viggen we have in DCS is the AJS37 variant. This is one of the more modern Viggen variants and as a result can carry some relatively smart equipment, such as the BK90 and RB-15F. These were weapons originally intended for the JAS39 Gripen, but due to delays in the JAS39 program, the AJS37 was adapted to carry them as well. In order to carry said weapon systems, modifications to the CK37 flight computer, which was originally designed for the AJ37, needed to be made. The MPE (MultiProcessorEnhet) was added to the CK37 system to increase its computing power, and a data bus was added as well to support increased system communication. Another improvement for the AJS variant was the addition of the TERNAV navigation system. This system uses radar telemetry data and compare it to a prepared terrain map loaded from the AJS37 data cartridge in order to determine your location. The AJS37 saw service in the Swedish air force from 1991 to the early 2000's when the last planes were switched out for JAS39 Gripen.

History

Weapons List

The following is a list of weapons currently implemented for the AJS37 Viggen.

ARAK m/70B unguided rockets (available in AP or HE configurations)
AKAN 30/55 gun pods (30mm)
Sprängbomb 120kg m/71 General purpose bombs (unguided)
Lysbomb 80kg M/71 Illumination bomb
RB-04E Anti-ship Missile
RB-15F Anti-ship Missile
RB-05A Air to ground / air to air missile
RB-75 (AGM65A) Air to ground missile
BK-90 Mjölner stand-off gliding cluster munitions dispenser
RB-24J (AIM-9P) Sidewinder air to air missile
RB-74 (AIM-9L) Sidewinder air to air missile
KB Countermeasures dispender pod
U/22 ECM pod
U/22A ECM / ELINT pod

Systems Overview

Data cartridge

The data cartridge is essentially a miniature handheld computer. It stores mission data and various other important details that the Viggen flight computer (CK37) needs to properly assist the pilot in the mission. The cartridge also functions as a storage unit for some of the Viggen systems. During startup the pilot inserts the cartridge into the data slot behind him to the left and then proceeds to load the data into the CK37 flight computer. In DCS this is done by switching to REFLOLA, IN, entering the code 9099 and pressing LS.

Radio

AJS37 has a two different radio systems: FR22 and FR24.

FR22

FR22 is the primary radio and is located on the forward part of your left sidepanel. It supports VHF (103.000 - 155.975 MHz) and UHF (225.00 – 399.95 MHz), AM and FM. The output is 20W for VHF and 10W for UHF. On the left part of the front panel is also the frequency selector. This shows the currently selected manual frequency and modulation. Pressing the minus (-) button on the FR22 group selector (the number buttons just below the frequency selector) will set the radio to the manually selected frequency.

FR24

FR24 is the backup radio. Its controls are located further back on the left side panel. It only supports VHF AM, has an output of 3W, and only has a fixed set of selectable channels (H,E,F,G).

Radio + SRS

Connecting the AJS37 radio to SRS is fairly easy. Assuming your SRS installation is correct, start SRS and select the radio you want to use (normally the first one). Manually dial the frequency selector in the Viggen to the frequency you want to talk on, and hit the minus (-) key. Now you should be set. Keep in mind that the FR22 needs the main generator to function, so starting the aircraft is required.

Radar

PS 37/A at Arboga Robot Museum

The AJS37 uses the PS 37/A mono-pulse radar. It operates in the X-band and is designed for locating ships. It can be used to locate ground targets as well, but not as effectively.
The radar can operate in three different modes:
A0: Radar is turned off.
A1: Wide range search, dish will sweep from side to side +-61.5 degrees from the x-axis with a search speed of 110 degrees/second.
A2: Narrow range search, dish will sweep from side to side +-32 degrees from the x-axis with a speed of 60 degrees/second.

Passive mode

If the radar is set to passive mode (switch on the middle left side panel) and mode A0 (radar off) it will not emit anything but only listen for enemy jammers. These will show up as lines on the radar panel indicating in which direction the emitter is located.

Terrain avoidance mode

The radar can also be set for terrain avoidance. This is helpful if you are flying at night or in low visibility situations. In terrain avoidance mode the radar will be positioned at 0 degree angle relative to the horizon, looking directly forwards. It will continue to sweep left and right but the only returns will be from terrain on you altitude. Mountains and hills higher than your current altitude will therefore show up as dark areas whilst the light areas are terrain below your altitude.

Navigation fixes

Nothing here yet. Needs fixing.

CK37 Flight Computer

The CK37 flight computer system was first designed for the original AJ37 Viggen back in the 60's. It was later modified with increased processing power for the AJS37 in order to carry newer weapons and pods. The CK37 is accessible for the pilot using the data panel located on the forward right side panel of the cockpit. It consists of a data indicator, a selector dial, in/ut toggle switch, number buttons 0-9, and waypoint buttons.

Selector dial

The selector dial is a wheel that can be toggled in different positions to control which mode the CK37 should operate in.

The available modes are: AKT POS: Present position. This is the only mode that allows you to switch between waypoints.; REFLOLA: Used for inputting coordinates into the navigation system, for waypoints and such.; BANA/GRÄNS:; VIND/RUTA/MÅL:; TID:; TAKT: Used for inputting tactical information into the CK37 system, weapon settings and such.; ID-NR:

Data indicator

The data indicator consists of 6 digits which shows different information depending on which mode the CK37 system currently is in.

AKT POS

The system will display navigation system status information. The first 4 digits cycles between showing the longitude and latitude coordinates of the current position in degrees and minutes. The 5th and 6th digits tell you if the TERNAV navigation system is operating, it's status, and your current navigation drift.

5'th digit: 0 = TERNAV inoperable; 1 = TERNAV OK, but not sending any outputs. Stand-by mode. Aircraft is on ground or outside the area of TERNAV operation.; 2 = TERNAV OK, mode rough search. System is attempting to orient itself in a particular area.; 3 = TERNAV OK. Fine search. System in a higher resolution mode. Still ascertaining position.; 4 = TERNAV OK and following, but not used. Commonly seen in mode SPA; 5 = TERNAV OK and operating. System sending automatic fixes to the CK37 computer.
6'th digit: Tells you the amount of accumulated drift in km. A value of 0 is therefore good.

REFLOLA

Nothing here yet.

TAKT

Nothing here yet.

U22/A ECM pod

The U22/A ECM pod was a jammer pod designed and produced during the mid 90's for the Swedish Air force. It had two main capabilities: Jamming of enemy radar emitters, and passive ELINT.

Jamming

To be written

ELINT

One of the upgrades that the AJS modification introduced was the introduction of the data cartidge. This cartridge can be used by the U22/A ECM pod for storing ELINT information. The U22/A ECM pod can be put into passive listening mode and record information about radar emitters illuminating the AJS37 throught its flight.

The data the pod records is:

PRF (pulse repetition frequency)
Carrier Frequency (or commonly known as frequency band)
Emit time (how long the radar is illumining the AJS)
Silent time (how long the radar is silent between illuminations)
Angle of the illumination (relative to the position of the AJS37)
The position of the AJS37 (fetched from the navigation system)

When the plane later lands, the ground crew will fetch the ELINT data from the cartridge and DCS generates a file for you in C:\Users\username\Saved Games\DCS_AJS37 called ELINTData.info. This file can be imported into a tool called combatflite to plot where the emitters seen by the AJS37 is located. The type of emitter is also derived using the above collected information.

To put the U22/A ECM pod in ELINT mode set the jammer controls to mode A and F for preheat. The KB-H/KA SL warning indicator on the right indicator / warning table will light up to indicate the pod is heating up. When this light goes off (takes about 3 minutes) the pod will be ready to use. Then to put it into a passive listen mode set it to mode A and K. It can be set into mode A and G for low sensitivity listening and mode A and J for high sensitivity listening. Mode A and K will switch between these two automatically so it is in that sense the best mode to use for this purpose.

To make sure ELINT mode is active the warning light MOTVERK on the right indicator / warning table will light up and flash when illuminated by a radar.

For the actual ELINT work you need to be illuminated by enemy radar emitters from different directions. For every illumination the pod will record the position of the AJS37 and the angle of the illumination. The pod then cross references the angle of which you were illuminated with the previous illuminations from that emitter to create an approximate location. Imagine drawing a line from your position with the illumination angle. When you get illuminated again another line is drawn from your new location with the new illumination angle. Where those lines meet is the location of the emitter. More lines (more illuminations from different positions) narrows down the location.

Ideally during an ELINT run you want to get illuminated from as many sources as possible, from as many different positions around the emitters as possible. To achieve this there are two ways: The virgin high altitude way and the chad Viggen way.
The high altitude way:
Flying at high altitude the plane will be exposed to more radars since it has line of sight over a larger area. Using this finding emitters is easy, but narrowing their locations down requires travelling long distances around them (as you don't want to get shot down). This method is useful for finding how many emitters there are, but not for narrowing down their exact location.
The Viggen way (low altitude high speed):
If you get close to the emitters you won't need to move very long distances to be illuminated from different angles. Getting close to the emitters can sometimes be difficult though, since they will shoot at you. You can however sometimes use terrain to mask your presence. This allows you to get really close to the emitters for very accurate ELINT data. Keep in mind though that you want the emitter to see you, so ocantionally pop up to get illuminated then drop down to make it lose track. This way you can go around the emitter to get illuminated in a fairly short time.

After you have been illuminated from different angles, head back to land and the crew will fetch the elint data. Import the data into the Combatflite software and profit.

Keep in mind that the U22/a uses the AJS37 navigation system for its position recording
so navigation drift can mess the readings up.

Additionally keep in mind that every time you land the ELINTData.info file will be overwritten.
So when you have completed an ELINT  run tab out and copy the file to a safe location.

TL;DR just wanna ELINT:

Fit U22/a
Jammer mode A/F in 3 minutes
When KB-H/KA SL goes dark set mode A/K
Fly around get illuminated
Land
Import C:\Users\username\Saved Games\DCS_AJS37\ELINTData.info into combatflite
Profit

Importing into combatflite

Open Combatflite
Click "Change theatre" in the top left corner and chose the theatre the run was conducted on
Click "Import ELINT" button on the middle top bar
Select the ELINTData.info file

Now you will see red squares indicating where the emitters are located. The emitter is located somewhere within that square. Larger squares represent estimated emitter locations. To shrink the squares get illuminated from more angles around the emitter. Within the squares there is also a text describing what RADAR system the emitter is part of. This is based on an ELINT database located inside Combatflite. To view and modify this database click Tools and then ELINT library in the top meny bar.

Weapons

The AJS37 Viggen has a range of different weapon systems it can employ. Most of them are geared towards hitting ground and surface targets, but some air-to-air capability exists as well. This section provides details and procedures for employing said weapon systems to maximum effect.

Air-to-Ground weapons

The AJS37 Viggen can carry unguided rockets, Air-to-Ground missiles, and unguided bombs for the Air-to-Ground role. It can also carry a guided gliding cluster-munitions dispenser. The weapons listed below are intended to be used against ground targets of various kinds.

ARAK m/70B Unguided Rockets

Rocket pods each containing six 135mm unguided rockets in HE or AP configurations. The rockets can be configured to launch in one salvo emptying all pods in one go, or to be fired individually meaning one rocket from each pod with each press of the trigger.

Specifications
HE (SHU70 - SprängHUvud 70):
Total Weight: 45.8kg.
Warhead: 3.7kg of TNT.
Used against soft targets.
AP (PSHU70 - PansarSprängHUvud 70):
Total Weight: 44.6kg.
Warhead: 5.0kg of Hexatol (Comp B) shaped charge.
Used against armoured targets.

Sprängbomb 120kg m/71 General Purpose Bomb

Sprängbomb m/71 can be configured in high-drag or low-drag configurations with an instantaneous fuse (ÖHKSAR) or an airburst fuse (ZONRÖR). The high-drag version have a chute which helps to slow the bomb down after release. The bombs come mounted on racks of 6 bombs each.

Specifications
Total weight: 121kg each.
Warhead: 30kg Hexatol (Comp B).
Can be used against all types of ground targets.

Lysbomb 80kg m/71 Illumination Bomb

This is an illumination bomb. It's main intended purpose is to light up the battlefield. The bomb deploys a parachute after release to slowly fall towards the ground while emitting strong light (3000000 Candela).

BK-90 Mjölner Stand-off Gliding Cluster-munitions Dispenser

BK-90 Mjölner is a cluster-munitions dispenser with stand-off capability. It is essentially a glide bomb that overflies the target and ejects cluster-munition units over the target area. It is guided in the sense that it will upon release travel towards the target waypoint currently selected. It can be released as far as 10km from the target, depending on the release altitude and the plane velocity. The cluster-munition units can be of two types: MUSJAS-1 (MJ1) for high explosives and MUSJAS2 (MJ2) for armour piercing, or a mix thereof (MJ1-MJ2).

Specifications
Total weight: 605kg +-12kg.
Propulsion: No motor, uses the kinetic energy of the airplane.
Warhead:
MJ1: 72 1.4kg cluster munition warheads.
MJ2: 24 6.0kg cluster munition warheads.
Range: Up to 10km.
Seeker: None.
Release envelope: 50-500m AGL at speed M 0.7-0.9.
Can be used against all types of ground targets.

RB-05A (Robot 05 Adam)

RB-05A is a radio controlled missile designed for the AJ37. The missile can be used against ground, sea, or even air targets as the pilot manually steers it towards the target using a thumbstick and optical view. The missile is fitted with a flare to assist the pilot in spotting it.

Specifications
Weight: 305kg (341kg with launcher).
Engine: Liquid fuel rocket engine VR35.
Range: Over 9000 meters.
Warhead: 160kg high explosive.
Seeker: None, pilot is guiding it using a radio link.
Can be used against ground targets, surface targets, and air targets.

RB-75 (Robot 75 aka AGM65A)

Swedish imported AGM65A designated RB-75.
Weight: 210kg.

RB-75T (Robot 75 Tung stridsdel aka AGM65A with a heavier warhead)

Swedish imported AGM65A with a heavier warhead.
Weight: 295kg.

RB-75B (Robot 75 Bertil or AGM65B)

It is essentially an AGM65B. It has improved optics over the AGM65A, presenting a zoomed in and higher resolution image of the target for the pilot. Interesting fact is that the Swedish air force never imported these, and the AJS37 never used them.

Anti-Ship Missiles

The main intended role of AJS37 was to be used against surface targets on the Baltic Sea. Therefore Anti-Ship missiles was an integral part of its armament. The AJS37 could carry two types of Anti-Ship missiles: The RB-04E and the RB-15F.

RB-04E (Robot 04 Erik)

RB-04E at Arboga Robot Museum

RB-04 is an anti-ship missile originally developed for the A32 Lansen during the late 40's and early 50's. The E variant was developed during the 60's for the AJ37/SH37 but could also be carried by AJS37. The missile can be dropped from between 50-425m ASL and will descend to sea skimming altitude (10m) and begin looking for targets with its radar seeker head.

Specifications
Weight: 625kg.
Propulsion: Solid-fuel rocket engine KR 16D2.
Thrust: 1913 N for 65.6 seconds.
Range: around 32km.
Warhead: 200kg of high explosive.
Seeker: Active pulse radar with frequency hopping.
Release envelope: 50-425m ASL.
Can be used against surface targets, i.e ships.

RB-15F (Robot 15 Filip)

RB-15F at Arboga Robot Museum

Originally developed as the RB-04 Turbo, but rebranded as the RB-15 for marketing reasons, it was designed as a replacement of the RB-04E during the late 70's. It used a turbo jet engine instead of a rocket engine that the older RB-04 has used and was equipped with a much better radar seeker. This missile can also be programmed with a series of waypoints that the missile will follow before reaching the intended target. Once the missile reaches a specific waypoint (Bx8) it activates its seeker and begin looking for targets. Just as with the RB-04 it will descend to sea skimming altitude (10m) after release.

Specifications
Weight: 565kg (605kg with launcher)
Propulsion: Turbojet engine TRI 60-2
Thrust: 3730N
Range: 70km
Warhead: 200kg high explosive
Seeker: Active pulse radar with frequency hopping.
Release envelope: 50-2000m ASL
Can be used against surface targets, i.e ships.

Air-to-Air Missiles

Nothing here yet. Feel free to add.

Procedures

This section lists sensor and weapon deployment procedures.

ARAK m/70B

ARAK can be fired in a variety of different ways; Normal mode, Quick mode, and Long range mode.
Normal mode is for when firing at a known target at medium distance.
Quick mode is for targets of opportunity spotted visually.
Long range mode is used for firing at a known target at long ranges.
Additionally firing a whole rocket salvo or individual rockets can be toggled using the MÅLVAL switch, next to the Release Mode Switch. GRUPP for firing the entire rocket salvo in one go, or ENKEL for firing one rocket from each pod at a time.

Normal Mode

Set Weapon Selector to Mode ATTACK
Set Release Mode switch to SERIE
Set current altimeter pressure QFE for the target waypoint (can be found in the kneeboard).
Set Master mode to ANF
Trigger UNSAFE when the reticule is on the target and stable
Wait for the distance line to pass between the two outer pillars, then fire

Quick Mode

Master mode should be in NAV
Set Weapon Selector to Mode ATTACK
Set Release Mode switch to SERIE
Dive towards the target trigger UNSAFE, hold the dot on the target
A distance line will appear when close enough, wait until the line is within the two outer pillars, then fire

Long range mode

Set Weapon Selector to Mode ATTACK
Set Release Mode switch to IMPULS
Disable target motion measurement by going TAKT, IN, and enter 211 then press LS
Disable radar ranging by going TAKT, IN, and enter 253 then press LS
Set current altimeter pressure QFE for the target waypoint (can be found in the kneeboard).
Set Master mode to ANF
Trigger UNSAFE when the reticule is on the target and stable
Fire when parameters are fulfilled (shown by two wings appearing around the targeting dot).

Resources

Viggen Tools

This a great page that someone made that allows you to listen to which RWR sounds are generate for various radar systems. Memorizing these sounds are important, as the viggen will give you little other information on what is targeting you.
Lots of Viggen related goodness including checklists and RWR tones