Saab 35 Draken

A Draken on a runway

The Saab 35 Draken ("kite" or "dragon") is a fighter aircraft made by Saab. It first flew in 1955 and was introduced in 1960. It was made to replace the Saab 29 Tunnan.^[1] The Draken used a delta wing, which gave it speed. In fact, it was Sweden's first aircraft to go twice the speed of sound.^[2]

What the Draken is like

The Draken is 50 feet, 4 inches (15.35 meters) long, 30 feet, 10 inches (9.42 meters) wide, and 12 feet, 0 inches (03.89 meters) tall. It weighs 18,188 pounds (8,250 kilograms) empty and can weigh up to 27,050 pounds (12,270 kilograms) with things in it. It is powered by a Volvo Flygmotor RM 6C jet engine. It carries 2 30mm cannon and can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.^[3]

Who uses the Draken

Saab 35 Draken Media

Front view of a Swedish Air Force Saab 35 Draken fighter aircraft
RIAT Airshow 2022
Saab 35 prototype (Fpl 35-1) flying. Commonly called Urban Röd (Urban Red), the "U" mark stood for "utveckling" (development).
Saab 35B prototype landing after reaching Mach 2 for the first time on January 14, 1960.
SAAB J-35F Draken 0012 (cropped)
Draken performing a kort parad
Two J 35A2 Drakens flying over Sweden in the early 1960s
Saab 35F Draken (DK-241), formerly in Finnish service (35FS), at the Aviation Museum of Central Finland. In the background a Finnish Saab 35C two-seat trainer (DK-270) can be seen.
Fpl 35-1 and 35-2
Fpl 35-10 fitted with RB 05 air-to-ground missile for trials.