Reconnaissance Fighter

The SAAB 35 Draken (The Dragon) is very easily recognized thru its double-delta wing construction. The prototype was flown for the first time in October 1955, and the operational J 35 A was ready for production in 1958.

The aircraft was designed as an interceptor of transonic bombers. The role demanded supersonic speed, better than average range and a sizeable weapon load. It could therefore easily be modified to other roles such as strike and reconnaissance. A total of 606 Draken were built, and some were exported to Denmark, Finland and Austria.

In 1968 Denmark ordered 51 of the type for delivery in 1971, including 20 RF-35 reconnaissance version. These aircraft were in service in the Danish Air Force until 1993. The county of Bodø received a RF-35 from Svendborg, its twin town in Denmark.

The aircraft is now stored at The Norwegian Aviation Museum and will be a part of the future Cold War Exhibition.

TECHNICAL DATA:

SAAB RF-35 Draken

LENGTH: 15,4 m

WINGSPAN: 9,4 m

HEIGHT: 3,9 m

MAX T/O WEIGHT: 16000 kg

MAX SPEED: Mach 2.0

CEILING: 18300 m

RANGE: 1.000 km med 1.000 kg våpen

POWERPLANT: x SFA RM6C Rolls-Royce Avon - 5.800 kgp dry and 8.000 kgp with afterburner

ARMAMENTS: 2 x 30 mm Aden cannons 9 attachment points for external stores (9x454 kg)
External stores: air-to-air/air-to-ground, rockets, bombs, drop-tanks.