Following World War II, there was a big surge in the need for cutting-edge jet fighter technology. By the 1960s, Swedish engineers had developed the Saab J35 Draken as a theoretical design. The concept of a tail-less double-delta wing aircraft stirred both enthusiasm and apprehension, representing a daring leap into uncharted territory.
Faced with this daunting challenge, Saab engineers embraced the task with great enthusiasm. Their unwavering commitment transformed their efforts into a tale that has since become iconic.
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 featured a groundbreaking design with its distinctive double-delta wing configuration, which was revolutionary at the time. Its innovative shape, characterized by sharp angles, adeptly combined high-speed performance with stability at lower speeds.
To enhance its aerodynamic performance, the J35 utilized a turbojet engine with afterburner capabilities, enabling it to achieve remarkable speeds and becoming one of the first Western European-built jets to exceed Mach 2.
The aircraft was meticulously designed, with its fuselage housing a roomy cockpit that provided exceptional visibility for the pilot. Outfitted with cutting-edge radar and fire-control systems, the J35 set new benchmarks in technological advancement. The fuselage, segmented into forward and rear sections, securely accommodated essential systems.
For combat operations, the J35 carried its primary armament externally, including up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. It could also internally carry a variety of rockets and bombs, offering versatility 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.