The Saab J 32 Lansen was a second-generation jet fighter and attack aircraft used by the Swedish Air Force during the Cold War. It was the first Swedish combat plane fitted with built-in surveillance and attack radar. The Lansen was a versatile and rugged aircraft that served mainly in the all-weather, attack and night fighter roles, but it was also used as a reconnaissance and electronic interference plane. With its low swept-wing configuration, it resembled the North American F-100 Super Sabre.
The origin of the Saab J 32 Lansen goes back to December 1948, when the Swedish Air Force Board ordered the development of a new, two-seat, single-engine, transonic combat aircraft for attack, reconnaissance, and night fighter use. It was called Project 1150. The first prototype made its maiden flight on November 3, 1951. It was flown by test pilot Bengt Olow. During October 1953, the Lansen became the first Saab aircraft to break the sound barrier, flying at the speed of Mach 1.12. It was introduced into service with the Swedish Air Force in July 1956 as the Saab A 32, the ground-attack version, with 290 aircraft produced. In 1958, the Saab J 32B all-weather night fighter variant was introduced, with a total of 130 combat plane built.
Technical Description
The Saab J 32 Lansen was a two-seat, single-engine monoplane of all-metal construction. It had cantilever swept wing mounted low on the fuselage. The wing trailing edge was fitted with large flaps and hydraulically-controlled ailerons. It had also swept tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), with the same angle of sweep as the wing. The Lansen was equipped with retractable landing gear, with main wheels folding up inwards into root of wing. The aircraft was powered by one Svenska Flygmotor RM6A turbojet engine, which delivered 11,000 pounds of thrust. The engine two air intakes were located on the sides of fuselage.
Specifications
Type: all-weather, two-seat, attack and fighter aircraft
Length: 14.94 m (49 feet)
Wing Span: 13 m (42 feet, 8 inches)
Wing Area: 37.4 m2 (403 square feet)
Height: 4.65 m (15 fee, 3 inches)
Power Plant: one 11,000-lb-thrust, Svenska RM6A turbojet engine with afterburner.
Maximum Speed: 1,200 km/h (750 mph)
Range: 2,000 km (1,200 miles)
Service Ceiling: 15,000 m (49,000 feet)
Crew: 2
Armament: four 30-mm cannons; 75-mm rockets; four Rb-24 air-to-air missiles; three 600-kg bombs.
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| Front view of the Lansen before take-off. |
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| The Saab J 32B version in flight, banking right. |
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| The Saab 32 reconnaissance version. Notice the radar dome on belly of aircraft. |
