Saab Draken
| Saab 35 Draken | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Danish Air Force Saab TF-35 Draken | |
| Role | Fighter aircraft |
| National origin | Sweden |
| Manufacturer | Saab |
| First flight | 25 October 1955 |
| Introduction | 8 March 1960 |
| Retired | 2005 (Austria) |
| Status | Retired from military service |
| Primary users |
Swedish Air Force Austrian Air Force Finnish Air Force Royal Danish Air Force |
| Produced | 1955–74 |
| Number built | 651 |
| Variants | Saab 210 |
The Saab 35 Draken ("the kite" or "the dragon") was a Swedish fighter aircraft manufactured by Saab between 1955 and 1974. The Draken was built to replace the Saab J 29 Tunnan and, later, the fighter variant (J 32B) of the Saab 32 Lansen. The indigenous J 35 was an effective supersonic Cold War fighter that was also successfully exported to Austria, Denmark, Finland, and to the United States as a test pilot training aircraft.
The Draken was the first fully supersonic aircraft to be deployed in Western Europe.
As the jet era started, Sweden foresaw the need for a jet fighter that could intercept bombers at high altitude and also successfully engage fighters. Although other interceptors such as the US Air Force's F-104 Starfighter were being conceived during the same period, Saab's "Draken" would have to undertake a role unique to Sweden. Requirements included the ability to operate from reinforced public roads used as part of wartime airbases, and for refuelling and rearming to be carried out in no more than ten minutes by conscripts with minimal training. In September 1949, the Swedish Defence Material Administration issued a request for a fighter/interceptor aircraft, and work began at Saab the same year.
Draken's design incorporated a distinctive "double-delta" configuration, with one delta wing within another larger delta. The inner wing has an 80° angle for high-speed performance, while the outer 60° wing gives good performance at low speeds. Propulsion was provided by a single Svenska Flygmotor RM6B/C turbojet (Rolls-Royce Avon 200/300). A ram turbine, under the nose, provided emergency power, and the engine had a built-in emergency starter unit. The Draken could deploy a drag parachute to reduce its landing distance.
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