Saab reveals full Gripen E design, cost savings - 3/13/2014 - Flight Global
States about the new E model ...
"Maximum take-off weight will be 16.5t, with the type’s empty airframe weight accounting for just 20% of this, at around 3t."
Is there anything else flying that can lift 5 times it's empty weight or more?
The article also states :
"The Swedish air force lists its current per-hour operating cost with the type as being around SKr48,000 ($7,560)."
I know it is easy to get into a comparing apples with oranges at the cost game but it does seem an order of magnitude less than the prices quoted for other aircraft.
TR