The Saab 35 Draken was designed
as an interceptor for incoming bombers, this
task required speeds higher than the speed of
sound, excellent climbing-power, a more than
average range, and a heavy weapon-load capacity.
The tactical insight of the
Swedish air force demanded the new fighter to
have STOL capabilities, and the possibility to
operate from freeways, to achieve this the
airframe was based on a slim hull and a double
delta-wing witch provided a very good lift and
large fuel tanks with minimal drag.
To get to the same performances
as the slightly newer English Electric Lightning
that was powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon
turbojets with afterburners, the designer-team
of the Draken decided to use one of that same
type of engine that was built under license as
Flygmotor RM6 in Sweden. The engine was
successfully used in the Saab 210 test-plane
witch was a smaller version of the Saab 35 and
flew for the first time in February 1952 with a
Armstrong Siddeley Adder turbojet (4,73 kN)
The first prototype of the Saab
35 flew in October 1955 and the first
production-version the J 35A came in use in
1958.
Total production came to 525
airplanes in the following types:
J 35A: With the RM6B
engine (64,94 kN).
J 35B: Improved fighter
including ramcourse-radar and new computer
system.
Sk 35C: Two seated
trainer.
J 35D: Fighter with
RM6C engine (77,68 kN) and more sophisticated
electronics.
S 35E: Tactical
reconnaissance plane.
J 35F: Included more
advanced radar and Hughes Falcon air to air
missiles, this type was also exported as the
Saab 35X.
J 35J: Updated J 35F
for further use into the 1990's.
