After World War II, there was a major rise in the demand for advanced jet fighter technology. By the 1960s, Swedish engineers had come up with the Saab J35 Draken, but only as a theoretical concept. The idea of a tail-less double-delta wing aircraft generated both excitement and caution, symbolizing a bold venture into new territory.
Confronted with this major challenge, Saab engineers eagerly took on the task. Their steadfast dedication turned their work into a story that has since become legendary.
Development of the Saab J35 Draken
The Swedish Air Force, determined not to fall behind in the development of advanced jet technology, set its sights on a supersonic fighter capable of intercepting bombers at high altitudes. A bold idea was developed, leading the Defence Materiel Administration to lay out a set of requirements for a cutting-edge interceptor.
Unlike its contemporary, the US Air Force’s Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, this Nordic creation had a distinctive role: operate from reinforced public roads, a strategic approach developed by the Swedish Ministry of Defence during the Cold War to guard against potential nuclear threats. Additionally, it needed to be capable of conducting operations in all weather conditions.
Enter the Saab J35 Draken – the “Nordic Dragon” – which embraced the challenge.
The J35, a testament to innovative design and engineering prowess, emerged from a daring decision to adopt the double-delta wing configuration. Despite being untested and potentially fraught with challenges, it provided a solution to many critical issues. The delta wing, with its robust structure and ample internal volume for fuel storage, held promise, albeit with a susceptibility to drag.
In the absence of modern aids like computer-aided testing and flight simulation, Swedish engineers began a slow and meticulous journey. After extensive wind tunnel testing and test flights, they crafted a small but airworthy prototype, the Saab 210 – or “Little Dragon.” Taking its first flight over Stockholm in January 1952, the Little Dragon breathed life into the J35 Draken.
Saab J35 Draken specs
The J35 Draken showcased an advanced design with a unique double-delta wing configuration that was groundbreaking for its era. This innovative design, marked by its sharp angles, effectively balanced high-speed performance with low-speed stability.
To improve its aerodynamic efficiency, the J35 employed a turbojet engine with afterburner capability, allowing it to reach impressive speeds and making it one of the first Western European-built jets to surpass Mach 2.
Designed with precision, the aircraft’s fuselage contained a spacious cockpit offering excellent visibility for the pilot. Equipped with state-of-the-art radar and fire-control systems, the J35 set new standards in technological capability. Its fuselage, divided into forward and aft sections, securely housed vital systems.
For combat missions, the J35 carried its primary armament externally, including up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. Internally, it could deploy various rockets and bombs, providing flexibility with the option to mount either two 30 mm cannons or additional external fuel tanks.
A rather bouncy start
The introduction of the Saab J35 Draken faced challenges from the start.
With its cutting-edge double-delta wing design, mastering it proved a difficult adjustment. Its natural instability added difficulty to landing, requiring precise manual stabilization from pilots. However, challenges often lead to breakthroughs. In this case, overcoming the difficulties revealed a new maneuver undiscovered by any other nation at the time.
Cobra Maneuver
In their pursuit to master the unpredictable dynamics of flight, Swedish test pilots discovered a valuable technique: the Cobra Maneuver. When facing a high alpha stall with the J35 Draken, they found out that they could regain control by quickly adjusting the angle of attack to counteract the stall.
This discovery effectively gave the J35 the ability to function as its own airbrake, swiftly reducing its speed.
With its incredible speed, range, and sophisticated systems, the J35 redefined the concept of a “super stall.” The Cobra Maneuver illustrated a technically intricate approach to controlled stalling, highlighting the aircraft’s exceptional maneuverability by using it effectively as a large airbrake for rapid deceleration.
Saab J35 Draken’s legacy
Not only was the J35 Draken a high-altitude interceptor, it also proved to be a capable dogfighter. With impressive quick-turn capability and its high speed, the Swedish fighter was twice as capable as other single-engine jets of the same era. The improved J35B model featured an enhanced power plant, an enlarged afterburner, a redesigned rear fuselage and integrated with the air defense control network, STRIL 60.
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While the Cobra Maneuver is now associated with more modern aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-27 and the Mikoyan MiG-29, it’s important to remember where it all began. The J35 Draken took the aviation world by storm and will be remembered as the aircraft that accidentally discovered the maneuver.