Saab 32 Lansen
Saab 32 Lansen | |
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A Saab J 32B at Kristianstad Airshow in 2006 | |
Role | |
Manufacturer | Saab AB |
First flight | 3 November 1952 |
Introduction | 1956 |
Retired | 1997 |
Primary user | Swedish Air Force |
Produced | 1954–1960[1] |
Number built | 450[1][2] |
The Saab 32 Lansen (English: "The Lance[Nb 1][3]) is a two-seat, transonic military aircraft designed and manufactured by the Swedish aircraft manufacturer Saab AB.
Development of the Lansen commenced in late Autumn 1946 as a successor to the Saab B 18/S 18 attack aircraft, although an initial contract for the design and mockup of Saab's proposed P1150 design was not issued until December 1948. As the design was refined, plans to use the indigenous STAL Dovern turbojet engine were put aside due to technical difficulties in favour of the license-built Rolls-Royce Avon powerplant instead. On 3 November 1952, the first prototype performed its maiden flight; following flight testing and several refinements, series production of the type commenced during the following year.
Deliveries of the Lansen to the
Development
In Autumn 1946, the Saab company began internal studies aimed at developing a replacement aircraft for the
Its basic design also drew upon various materials that were obtained from Switzerland, including drawings on Messerschmitt's P.1101, P.1110, P.1111 and P.1112 projects. SAAB's project manager Frid Wänström retrieved these secret papers from Switzerland to Sweden in 1945. The documents had originated from Messerschmitt engineers who fled to Switzerland at the end of the Second World War. Among them were the engineer and aerodynamicist Hermann Behrbohm, who came to be part of Saab's core in the team around Saab 29 Tunnan and upcoming aircraft types like the Saab 32 Lansen and Saab 35 Draken.[citation needed]
On 20 December 1948, a phase one contract for the design and mock-up of the proposed aircraft was issued, formally initiating development work upon the P1150.[4][6] The requirements laid out by the Swedish Air Force for the P1150 were demanding: it had to be able to attack anywhere along Sweden's 2,000 km (1,245 miles) of coastline within one hour of launch from a central location. It had to be capable of being launched in any weather conditions and at day or night.[5] In response, Saab elected to develop a twin-seat aircraft with a low-mounted wing, and equipped with advanced electronics.[6] The P1150 would break new grounds for the Swedish Air Force, being their first two-seat jet aircraft, and the first to carry a built-in search radar.[7]
Saab had initially envisaged powering the P1150 with the indigenously produced STAL Dovern turbojet engine. However, both timescale and technical difficulties encountered during the development of the Dovern resulted in the Swedish government electing to substitute the intended Dovern engine with the license-built Rolls-Royce Avon Series 100 turbojet engine, designated RM.5, instead.[4][5] The single Avon engine provided the Saab A 32A with a thrust to weight ratio of about 0.3, and enabled the aircraft to be roughly 10,000lb heavier than the twin engine Saab 18 it replaced; the later-produced J 32B interceptor variant received the upgraded and significantly more powerful RM6A Avon engine instead.[8]
On 3 November 1952, the first P1150 prototype conducted its first flight.
During 1955, the first production A 32A Lansen attack aircraft were delivered to the Swedish Air Force; deliveries of this variant proceeded through to mid 1958, at which point manufacturing activity switched to the other two variants of the Lansen, the J 32B and S 32C. These two models differed substantially from the first, the J 32 B being fitted with a new engine for greater flight performance along with new navigation and fire control systems.[4][11] On 7 January 1957, the first J 32 B Lansen conducted its maiden flight; on 26 March 1957, the first S 32C Lansen performed its first flight. Production of the Lansen continued until May 1960.[4]
Design
The Saab 32 Lansen had a straightforward general arrangement, being one of the first aircraft in the world to be specifically developed to fly attack missions.
The Lansen's nose also contained the
The fuselage of the Lansen was relatively well
The Lansen was powered by a single afterburning Svenska Flygmotor RM5 turbojet engine, which was a license-produced Rolls-Royce Avon RA.3/Mk.109 engine manufactured by Svenska Flygmotor.[18] For easy maintenance access to the engine, the aircraft's entire aft fuselage was detachable.[10] The air intakes for the engine were located just forwards and above the wing. The two-man pilot and navigator crew were contained in a pressurised cockpit equipped with a single-piece clamshell canopy; a second windscreen separates the cockpit in between the pilot and navigator to protect the latter in case of inadvertent jettisoning of the canopy.[10][16]
Operational history
On 25 October 1953, a SAAB 32 Lansen attained a
One intended use for the A 32A was as an aerial delivery system for
Accidents destroyed a third of all Lansens during 25 years of service, killing 100 crew along with 7 civilians in Vikbo.[20] The accidents were due to a combination of technical faults, the aircraft not being ready for service, and training deficiencies in regards to flying at night and in adverse weather. In the 1960 Vikbo crash, pilot Uno Magnusson's A 32A suffered an engine outage, and ejected before crashing into a farmhouse, killing all seven civilian occupants.[20] The crash was due to a known fault which occurred when a drop tank was fitted; the fighter variant J32 B had been forbidden from using the drop tank.[20] Replacement parts to correct the fault were available at the base but had not yet been fitted. The crash's causes were suppressed from the public by the Flygvapnet press office; as the victims were civilians, they were not included in official accident statistics.[20]
The A 32 Lansen was Sweden's last purpose-built attack aircraft. The replacement of the A 32A formally began in June 1971, the more advanced Saab 37 Viggen being slowly used to take over its attack responsibilities.[Nb 4] As the type was gradually being replaced by more modern types, the Saab 32 continued to be operated into the late 1990s as target tugs and electronic warfare platforms, a total of 20 J 32Bs having been converted for these duties.[1][6] By 2010, at least two Lansens were still operational, having the sole task of taking high altitude air samples for research purposes in collaboration with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority; one of these collected volcanic ash samples in mid 2010.[22] As of April 2020 all aircraft have been withdrawn from active service.[6]
Variants
- A 32A
- Ground-attack and maritime-strike version. 287 aircraft built between 1955 and 1957,[23] retired in 1978. Armed with four 20 mm Bofors M/49 cannons and could carry two SAAB RB 04 missiles, unguided rocket pods and a variety of different bombs up to 3x600 kg bombs. Equiped with Radarvarnare F9/5 Radar warning receiver and Box-3 chaff dispencer.[24]
- J 32B
- All-weather fighter version initially operated only for bad weather and night fighter duties. Two prototypes and 118 production aircraft built[23] between 1958 and 1960, retired in 1973. Armed with four 30 mm ADEN guns, Rb 24 missiles (license-built AIM-9 Sidewinder), or 75 mm unguided rocket pods. J 32B was powered by more powerful Svenska Flygmotor RM6A (Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 47A) engine.
- S 32C
- Specialized maritime and photo reconnaissance version developed from A 32A. 45 aircraft built[23] between 1958 and 1959, retired in 1978. Equipped with PS-432/A radar with extended range and with six cameras – two SKa 23 (Fairchild K-47), one SKa 15 (Williamson F49 Mk 2) and three SKa 16 (Vinten F95).
- J 32D
- Target tug version. Six J 32B were modified,[23] retired in 1997.
- J 32E
- ECM (electronic warfare and countermeasures) version used also for ECM training. Fourteen J 32B were modified,[23]retired in 1997. Aircraft was equipped with jamming system G 24 in one of three versions (for L, S or C bands) used for jamming ground and naval radars. Additionally Adrian (for S and C bands) and Petrus (for X band) pods were used for jamming aerial radars.
- J 32AD
- Project of day fighter version from 1953 as interim solution between the J 29 Tunnan and J 35 Draken, designated J 32AD ("D" stands for Dag [day]). Aircraft was lighter, without radar and armed with four 20 mm and one 30 mm guns in nose and different missiles. None built, 120 Hawker Hunterfighters bought instead.
- J 32U
- Project of fighter version from 1954 ("U" stands for utveckling [development]) with much better performance than J 32B. Aircraft was equipped with more powerful Rolls-Royce RA 19R engine and had improved wing design. None built.
- J 32S/J16
- In 1969 at the Norrbotten Wing (F 21) 4 aircraft of the J32B version were modified to become a kind of snow remover by using the heat from the engine to melt snow and ice. The wings and the tail was removed and a small cabin was added on top of the fuselage. Where engine outlet earlier had been, there was now a square pipe, which lead the air down to the ground. The type was only tested and evaluated at F 21 until 1971, when the project was cancelled. The project was cancelled due to low efficiency and a very high fuel-consumption. There was also a problem with the welding in the pipe. The naming of the version is pretty simple, J32S (S stands for Snö [Snow]) and J16 simply because half of the aircraft was removed in order to create the J32S.
Surviving aircraft
One aircraft has been restored to flying condition and takes part in air force shows. This is a J32D model which was formerly 32606, but is now officially registered SE-RME. Production number 32543 is flying under registration SE-RMD as of 2017, also for the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight.[25]
Additionally, a number of non flying airframes are on static display at various museums and (former) air force bases, including one in the United States.
- #32070: Gate guardian at Skaraborg Wing (F 7) in Såtenäs.
- #32085: In a museum at former Hälsinge Wing (F 15) in Söderhamn.
- #32127: On display by the drive way to the civilian terminal in Halmstad. Consists of parts from 32127, 32094 and, after the overhaul in 2019, the rear part of 32035.[26]
- #32151: In a museum at former Blekinge Wing (F 17) in Kallinge.
- #32197: At the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linköping.
- #32259: Gate guardian at former Västgöta Wing (F 6) in Karlsborg
- #32284: On display in Estrella Warbirds Museum.
- #32510: On display in the Österreichisches Luftfahrtmuseum at Graz airport, Austria.[27]
- #32512: In a museum at the former Göta Wing, today Aeroseum, Säve, Göteborg.
- #32543: On display in Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Madrid) (F 3) in Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain.
Operators
Specifications (J 32B)
External videos | |
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Footage of a SAAB J32 B Lansen of the Swedish Airforce Historic Flight | |
Documentary on the J32 Lansen |
Data from The Great Book of Fighters,[28] Combat Aircraft since 1945[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 14.94 m (49 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
- Height: 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 37.4 m2 (403 sq ft)
- Airfoil: NACA 64A010[29]
- Empty weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,500 kg (29,762 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Svenska Flygmotor RM6Aafterburning turbojet engine, 47 kN (11,000 lbf) thrust dry, 65.3 kN (14,700 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,200 km/h (750 mph, 650 kn)
- Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 m (49,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 100 m/s (20,000 ft/min)
Armament
- Guns: 4 × 30 mm ADEN cannons 90 rounds each
- Rockets: 4 × 75 mm air-to-air rocket pods
- Missiles: 4 × Rb 24 air-to-air missiles
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
Notes
- ^ The names of Swedish combat aircraft, like Viggen or Draken, are in the definite form.
- ^ The RB 04 missile would use the Lansen's radar for target lock-on and for the missile's initial programming; after launch it would use its own active terminal homing with no further reliance on the aircraft's radar.[1]
- ^ The initial camera configuration included two SKa 17 cameras with 5.1 inch lenses and two SKa 18 with 36.2 inch lenses. In 1962, the configuration was updated to a single SKa 15 camera with a 3.9 inch lens, three SKa 16 cameras with 3.9 inch lenses, and two Ska 23 cameras with 23.6 inch lenses.[13]
- ^ Since the early 1960s, the Swedish Air Force had developed the Viggen as the specified successor to the Lansen in the attack role.[21]
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 136.
- ^ a b Wilson 2000, p. 122.
- ^ Nilsson, Axel (13 January 2012). "JAS 39 Gripen − Milestones". Projects. Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
Swedish naming of aircraft
- ^ a b c d e f g Saab 30 December 1960. p. 1017.
- ^ a b c d e Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 134.
- ^ a b c d e "Saab 32 Lansen." Archived 2016-01-26 at the Wayback Machine Saab, 14 December 2015.
- ^ Wagner 2009, p. 53.
- ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, pp. 134–136.
- ^ "700 m.p.h. Saab." Flight International, 7 November 1952. p. 580.
- ^ a b c d e Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 135.
- ^ Aviation Week, vol. 66, McGraw-Hill, 1957, p. 73.
- ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, pp. 135–36.
- ^ a b Wagner 2009, p. 55.
- ^ Wagner 2009, pp. 54–55.
- ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, pp. 134–35.
- ^ a b c Wagner 2009, p. 54.
- ^ Ford 1994, p. 45
- ^ Wagner 2009, pp. 53–54.
- ISBN 91-89442-49-0.
- ^ a b c d "Haveriet" (in Swedish). SE: Fokus. Oct 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Saab 37: Sweden's New Manned Weapon System." Flight, p. 1010. 27 December 1962.
- ^ Alpman, Marie. "Askprovtagning görs med Lansen" Swedish. NyTeknik, 6 May 2010. Retrieved: 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Forsgren 2010, pp. 68–69.
- ^ Speciel Förarinstruktion A32A (PDF) (144 ed.). KUNGL FLYGFÖRVALTNINGEN. p. 87, 88. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Aircraft SE-RMD Data". Airport-Data. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Jönsson, Sven-Erik (8 December 2019). "Vad händer på FMTS (gamla F 14) med Lansen?". Svensk Flyghistorisk Förening. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Luftfahrtmuseum: welcome". www.luftfahrtmuseum.at. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
- ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
- Erichs, Rolph et al. The Saab-Scania Story. Stockholm: Streiffert & Co., 1988. ISBN 91-7886-014-8.
- Ford, Daniel (Winter 1994). "Enduring Gem: SAAB's long serving Safir trainer". ISSN 0143-5450.
- Forsgren, Jan. "Database: Saab 32 Lansen". Aeroplane, November 2010, vol 38 no. 11, issue 451. pp. 64–74.
- Gunston, Bill and Peter Gilchrist. Jet Bombers: From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B-2. Osprey, 1993. ISBN 1-85532-258-7.
- "Saab: Sweden's Advanced Combat Aircraft." Flight International, 30 December 1960. pp. 1017–20.
- Taylor, John W.R. "Saab 32 Lansen (Lance)." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
- This Happens in the Swedish Air Force (brochure). Stockholm: Information Department of the Air Staff, Flygstabens informationsavdelning, Swedish Air Force, 1983.
- Wagner, Paul J. Air Force Tac Recce Aircraft: NATO and Non-aligned Western European Air Force Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Cold War. Dorrance Publishing, 2009. ISBN 978-1-4349-9458-5.
- Wilson, Stewart. Combat Aircraft since 1945. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 2000. ISBN 1-875671-50-1.
External links
- Saab 32 Lansen – an Overview
- The photo flying Saab J32D Lansen in Swedish colours is operated by heritage flight of the Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) – 2012.
- Ekstrand, O. "Swedish Test Flying." Flight, p. 704. 12 November 1954.