#Saab draken license#

Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. Now serving as 1945’s Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. The original Swedish designers probably had no idea that the radical double delta wings would display that much durability. The extraordinary lines are underlined by the anniversary design for the Austrian Air Force and make the Draken a show model in a. Our 1:5 scale model was developed by Manfred Eberharter for participation in the Jet World Cup. It carried an array of weapons including cannons, bombs, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.ĭespite the danger of superstalls, the Draken had a sterling reputation and Austria even kept them in service until 2005, which meant that they flew 50 years. The Saab 35 Draken (Dragon) is a single-engine supersonic fighter aircraft developed by Saab for the Swedish Air Force. The Draken never faced combat but it likely would have performed well against Soviet fighters in a dogfight. It was the first European-built airplane to reach MACH Two. This was a leap forward in what was possible in fighter jets at the time.Ħ51 of the planes were produced over the decades and it emerged as the main fighter-interceptor for the Swedish air force. And soon Sweden would need a new fighter to succeed from its famed flying triangle. But of course, jet aircraft development never stands still. This was a delta-wing jet fighter and interceptor that took over from earlier aircraft such as the Saab 29 Tunnan and the Saab 32 Lansen.

They arrived on a unique double delta wing design that made the Draken stand out among other fighters of its day. One of the most dramatic aircraft was the Draken. Swedish engineers and technicians had a brainwave on a new design feature. The requirements called for a large weapons storage, long endurance, and the ability to take off from short runways.

In the late 1940s, Sweden wanted a fighter-interceptor that was fast and could climb quickly against enemy bombers. This Airplane Started Off with a Unique Design Thus, the Saab 35 Draken fighter emerged with an interesting and innovative design. Sweden was neutral during that era, but its military feared a spill-over effect if the Soviets violated Swedish air space in a menacing manner. There are several versions of this aircraft and the type can operate from small airfields.Saab 35 Draken – Sweden Had a Cold War Fighter to Be Reckoned With – As Sweden now ponders joining NATO after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is illustrative to examine a Swedish Cold War airplane that was meant to stand up to the Soviets. Small oval air intakes are located on either side of the fuselage. The fuselage is round with small canopy, extending beyond the trailing edge of the tail fin, which is small and is highly swept along both leading and trailing edge. The single-seat combat aircraft has, a single engine and is equipped with two 30mm automatic cannons and Sidewinder air-to-air guided weapons. Of these, 51 were exported to Denmark, Finland.

In all, 612 Drakens were built between 19.

#Saab draken license#

Of these, 51 were exported to Denmark, Finland assembled 12 under license and later bought a number of ex-Swedish aircraft, and Austria ordered 24 modified Drakens. The J35A Draken entered service in 1959 and was followed by five different versions for the Swedish Air Force, including the all-weather J35F with its then advanced radar, infra-red search and track system, and both radar and IR guided missiles. Finland operated the type up to 2000 while Austria serviced theirs until 2005 (the latter succeeded by F-5 Tiger II jets). Denmark retired their Drakens in 1993 while Sweden followed in 1999. The J35A Draken entered service in 1959 and was followed by five different versions for the Swedish Air Force, including the all-weather J35F with its then advanced radar, infra-red search and track system, and both radar and IR guided missiles. All Saab J35 Drakens have since been retired from military service units worldwide. After much research including flight-testing of a 70 percent scale aircraft, the first prototype of the innovative double-delta Draken flew in late 1955 and Sweden´s first Mach 2 fighter was a reality, entering production in 1957. The decision to develop the Saab 35 Draken supersonic fighter, which introduced what was perhaps the most daring chapter so far in the history of the Swedish aircraft industry, had been taken as far back as 1949. The Saab 35 Draken is a second generation supersonic interceptor with a distinctive double delta wing.