Squadron Vehicles: Saab F-35: Red Dragon

One of the new Squadron Vehicles arriving in the Leviathans major update is the advanced Draken of the Danish Air Force!

Saab F-35: A Squadron Vehicle Jet Fighter for Sweden at Rank VII

At a glance:

  • AIM-9N air-to-air missiles
  • RWR
  • Up to 4500 kg of bombs
  • New sight with ballistic computer
  • No radar

Vehicle History

In the late 1960s, the Danish Air Force decided to replace the aging F-100D, needing a versatile fighter capable of effectively operating against both air and ground targets. The choice fell on the Swedish J35F Draken, however the base model did not meet Danish requirements, so a modification called the Saab 35XD (designated as the F-35) was developed. This new variant had reinforced wings, increased ammunition, two 30 mm cannons, reinforced landing gear, a large internal fuel supply and the ability to mount external fuel tanks. The radar equipment was considered unnecessary and dismantled, as the focus was on strike capabilities and transforming the design to the needs of a tactical aircraft.

In the 1980s, Danish F-35s underwent modernization under the WDNS (Weapon Delivery and Navigation System) program, which aimed to install a modern sighting and navigation system. These new fighters received a new sight, a laser rangefinder, and an AN/ALR-69 RWR. The final stage of modernization was completed in 1986.

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Introducing the Saab F-35!

The Danish Saab F-35 multirole fighter is coming to the game in the Leviathans major update as a new Squadron Vehicle for Sweden’s aviation tree! This aircraft has an advanced RWR, close range air-to-air missiles, and a wide range of ground attack capabilities. Let’s take a look.

Danish Drakens were upgraded under the Weapon Delivery and Navigation System (WDNS) program with modern electronics. Inside the nose cone is an AN/ALR-69 RWR, which provides you with comprehensive information about the current combat situation and immediate threats with clear identification on the display. In the cockpit is a new Sikte S-7B sight with a ballistic computer. Since the Saab F-35 was primarily intended for ground attacks, this aircraft has no radar. However, despite this, it does have two AIM-9N Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for air combat! These missiles have quite good overloads and controlled flight time, but acquiring the target is only possible in the rear hemisphere.

The Saab F-35 is the most attack-oriented Draken in Sweden’s aircraft tree. The reinforced wing allows for up to 4,500 kg payload, including 250, 500 and 1000 lb bombs, FFAR, CRV7 and Hydra-70 rockets.

Like other Squadron Vehicles, you can get the Saab F-35 through acquiring enough squadron activity points or buying it straight away with Golden Eagles. The Danish Draken is a neat addition to several lineups for Ground Battles, and its exceptional maneuverability and high maximum speed will come in handy in Air Battles!

That’s all for now! We’re finishing up the Leviathans major update — it’s coming soon!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

13 Likes

Saab F-35 vs Su-57 TD fights are becoming real soon ))

27 Likes

Oh a dev server update? Meaning it opened again?

no mention of countermeasures?

This is going to be so much fun in Simulator. :)

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If you watch the little teaser video, you can see if it has the same countermeasure pods as the XS

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How about a piston engine for a change . . .
I give you an idea . . .

Polikarpov ITP M-2
The second prototype, armed with three 20 mm cannons and equipped the motor of designer Mikulin M-39. Tested from November, 1943 to the summer 1944. During tests on the nominal mode of motor high speed of flight at earth was 540 km/h and on the first calculation height 2500 meters - 570 km/h. On the forcing mode, according to 600 and 650 km/h.

It looks very much like the Battle Pass ITP, but slightly better engine, with a little less fire power . . . I think it would be a welcome addition

Just one of very many examples that could be added into the game, and give us some more variety . . . . please

3 Likes

this should get bullpups like it had irl

If it does have countermeasures, that’s a really notable feature to mention.

Great looking aircraft, might have to pick it up in the future!

Great but it the squadron RP gain is pitiful. 20k RP every 3 days means to research this it will take about 3 months. We need squadron RP increased.

8 Likes

Is the model finalised, or can we expect changes until it is released on the live server?

The one SAAB 35 I’ve personally waited for is finally here, how marvellous.

Hmm, to bad the attack model is labelled a fighter, just like the Mirage F1CT, MiG-27, A29B.That way it’s the same SP pool in combined modes versus split between fighter & strike aircraft SP pools.

It is labelled as a strike aircraft on the dev server

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image
and a decent amount of them by the looks of it (for a draken)

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Only the Early F-35s did, the WNDS package lost bullpup capability iirc

Good addition but let me still give your L because the non-TT Draken number triples the tech tree Drakens (3 vs 1)

Thats a good reason to use it. Might use this to finish off the Finish tree due to a functional RWR and just see how the aim9N plays out. Dual cannons means more dogfight potential and less weight (i assume with no radar)

to me it just seems like a copy paste AIM-9J

it’s got reinforced wings for the bomb hardpoints, it’s probably heavier, by a bit
image
It’s not like its a small amount of reinforcement, considering the base Drakens don’t carry anything heavier than 183kg on a single pylon (m/57B pods), and on no more than 4 pylons, then suddenly having 9 pylons with the ability to carry nearly 450kg each, that and having both a 2nd ADEN and countermeasure pods, making it heavier once again

I’m no dataminer though, and I’m not sure about the weight of the reinforcement, guns and countermeasures compared to the weight of the radar, personally i’d expect it to be heavier by a noticable margin, but maybe a bit more responsive in pitch due to the reduced mass in the nose

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Son: Mom, can we have F-35?


Mom: Son, we already have F-35

The F-35 we got:

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Huh, well I didn’t know it was such on the dev server but the dovbleg only refers to it as a Jet Fighter at the top & mainly lists it as a squidron vehicle & only once mentions historical role one.

A bit of a poor description on the writers part imho.

1 Like