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SAAB J35J: The last flight of the Dragons
Image: Two J35J’s from F 10 (Skånska flygflottiljen) equipped with both RB 24’s and RB 27’s (Please Gaijin add the AIM-4/RB 28 & AIM-26/RB 27 Falcons to the game.)
Summarized Background History:
The SAAB J35J (Johan), is the last and final variant of the SAAB 35: Draken jet aircraft. Which the Swedish Air Force used during the late 1980’s up till 1999. The Saab J35J is a upgraded and modernized version of the J35F (Filip), specifically the J35F2 variants: Which for its purpose was to extend it’s service time in the Swedish Air force.
During the early 1980’s, the Swedish goverment along with the Swedish Airforce and other parts of the goverment: Planned to have the Saab 35 Draken phased out of service by start of 1983 (with the introduction of the JA37 Viggen). However, due to delayed deliveries and the eventual delays of what would be the plans for the upcoming for JAS39 Gripen. That meant the Swedish Goverment and the Airforce had to find a intermediary solution until the issues has been properly adressed:
Which came around 1982, as it became apparent that the weapon systems used on the J35F: Could be significantly improved at a reasonable cost and adapted to the changing threat landscape during 1970’s and early 1980’s, where the targets were mainly assumed to be attack wings consisting of Su-24’s, Su-25’s, Su-17’s etc. And aircrafts for the purpose of transporting paratroopers such as the An-12’s that would operate at a lower altitude.
Following the same year, the FMV (Försvarets Materielverk) were assigned with the task by the Chief of the Swedish Air Force: To conduct a examination on storaged J35F2’s if they were in good condition to be upgraded, modernized and what workarounds which had to be made: In order to extend the Saab 35 Draken’s service-life within the Swedish Airforce.
Following is per verbatim from “J35J Draken Notis 2”: “CFV’s (CFV: Cheif of the Swedish Airforce) prioritization of measures was primarily within the weapons system. This included performance-enhancing upgrades to the radar and sight, new pylon positions for the RB24J, new cooling for the IR sensor, 120 rounds for the AKAN, new IFF equipment, and several external fuel tanks. In other systems, flight safety required a new FLI platform, SSR transponder, new air data sensor, new backup instruments, altitude warning system, etc.”
And on 1984, the inquiry was completed and FMV (With the approval of the Commander in Cheif of the Swedish Armed Forces): Requested funding from the Government for preparation of upgrading 54 J35F2’s for a cost of 286 Million SEK. A additional 12 J35F2’s were also ordered to be upgraded in 1986. Making the total of 66 J35F2 that would eventually be redesignated as J35J (Johan). The Inquiry for the expansion for another JA37 Wing would be scrapped because of the Modernization of the J35J’s.
The reason as to why it was designated as J35J and not G: Is to the letter “J”, is the tenth letter of the alphabet, that was naturally chosen to symbolize the aircrafts belonging to the F10 Wing (F 10 Ängelholm) where all J35J (Johans) were to be based throughout it’s service time.
The J35J aircraft (as mentioned in the verbattim above), was now upgraded with more modernized electronics and improvements for the 30mm Akan m/55 cannon to name a few upgrades the aircraft received. However, the more important upgrades which the SAAB J35J received (terms of ingame improvements): Was the increased fuel capacity and the installation of new hardpoints under the intakes for mounting two additional AIM-9/RB 24 Sidewinder missiles: Improving the aircraft terms of Air to Air engagements.
The now upgraded SAAB J35J’s would continue to serve the Swedish Air force in F 10 (Skånska flygflottiljen) for 12 years: Spanning between 1987 and taking it’s final flight in 1999. In which the last SAAB J35’s was taken out of service: Marking the end of it’s 39 year long service time in the Swedish Air Force.
Specifications:
| J 35J | |
|---|---|
| Weight (Empty Weight): | ~8200 Kilograms |
| Max Weight (Air to Air): | ~12700 kg Kilograms |
| Max Weight (Air to Ground): | ~12300 kg Kilograms |
| Length: | 15,34 meters |
| Width: | 9,42 meters |
| Height: | 2,98 meters |
| Crew: | 1 crew member |
| Climb rate: | 177 ~ 200 meter/sec |
| Max Speed: | Mach 2.0~2.3 |
| Service ceiling (Max height): | 20000~ meters |
| Engine: | 1 x Svenska Flygmotor RM 6C |
| Thrust (Dry): | 56.5 kN |
| Thrust (With Afterburner): | 78.4 kN |
| Max Range: | 2.750 km |
| Armament (Offensive): | 1 x 30mm Akan m/55 (ADEN cannon) |
| Armament (Air to Air): | RB 24B/J (Sidewinders), RB 27 (AIM-26 Falcon), RB 28 (AIM-4 Falcon) |
| Armament (Air to Ground): | 12 × 135 mm sprängraket m/56 or 2 × raketkapsel m/57 |
| Ammunition Capacity: | Offensive Armament (30mm Akan m/55): 120 rounds |
| Number in Service: | 66 |
Sources: