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Saab 105

Saab 105

Picture - Swedish Air Force Saab 105 in Payerne, 2004

Role: Military trainer aircraft
Manufacturer: Saab
First flight: 29 June 1963
Introduced: 1967
Status: In service
Primary users: Swedish Air Force Austrian Air Force
Number built: 192

The Saab 105 is an aircraft developed in the early sixties as a private venture by Saab for the Swedish Air Force. It is a high-wing, twin engine trainer aircraft. The Swedish Air Force designation is SK 60. It first entered service in 1967 to replace the De Havilland Vampire.

Originally, it featured two Turbomeca Aubisque low bypass turbofan engines, licence-manufactured by Volvo Flygmotor as the RM9. An updated version is equipped with the Williams International FJ44, designated RM15.

A total number of 150 aircraft were bought by the Swedish Air Force, and another 40 were exported to Austria, designated Saab 105x–.

The Saab 105 is also the aircraft used by Swedish Air Force display team Team 60.

Variants

Saab 105 : Prototype. Two built.
SK 60A : Two-seat jet trainer, liaison aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. 149 built as Sk 60A.
SK 60B : Two-seat attack version for the Swedish Air Force, modified from Sk 60A with new weapons sight.
SK 60C : Two-seat ground attack/reconnaissance version for the Swedish Air Force with extended camera nose. One new build prototype and 29 conversions from Sk 60A.
SK 60D : Saab had also designed the Saab 105 for use as a four-seat liaison transport: the two ejection seats could be removed and quickly replaced with four airline-type seats, with no provision for wearing a parachute; or four more austere seats that allowed the wearing of parachutes. In the mid-1970s, ten SK 60A aircraft were permanently configured as transports and given the designation of "SK 60D". Some were painted in the light green / dark green / tan "splinter" camouflage associated with the SAAB Viggen fighter.
SK 60E : This variant was a similar four-seat SK 60A conversion, but featured commercial-type instruments, including an instrument landing system. It was used to help train Flygvapnet reserve pilots in flying commercial aircraft. The SK 60E machines were eventually used as SK 60D liaison transports.
SK 60W : In 1993, another upgrade program was initiated to modernize the SK 60, the most important improvement being fit of twin Williams Rolls FJ44 turbofans with 8.45 kN (861 kgp / 1,900 lbf) each and digital engine controls. The new engines not only provide more thrust, but are much quieter, cleaner, and easier to maintain. The first Williams-powered SK 60 -- known informally as the "SK 60(W)" -- performed its initial flight in August 1995. A total of about 115 conversions of SK 60A, 60B, and 60C aircraft were performed in the late 1990s. No conversions were performed of the SK 60D/E, with all such aircraft grounded and used as spares hulks. There was consideration of upgrading the increasingly obsolete cockpit instrument system to feature two multifunction displays (MFDs), but it is unclear if this was ever implemented.
Saab 105XT : Export demonstrator; improved version of the SK 60B, re-engined with 12.85 kW (2,850 lbf) General Electric J85 turbojets. Prototype converted from second Saab 105 prototype.
Saab 105D : A refined business jet variant was considered, but the idea was out of date and there were no takers.
Saab 105G : Revised version of 105XT with new avionics, including precision nav/attack system, more powerful J-85 engines and modified wing. One converted from 105 XT prototype.
Saab 105H : Proposed version for the Swiss Air Force. Never built.
Saab 105x– : Variant of the 105XT for the Austrian Air Force, first delivered to Austria in July 1970. 40 built, delivered 1970-1972, replacing the de Havilland Vampire and Saab 29 Tunnan.
Saab 105S : In the mid-1970s, Saab proposed yet another demonstrator, the "Saab 105S" for a Finnish trainer requirement, but the Finns decided to buy the BAe Hawk instead.

Operators

Austria Austrian Air Force. Sweden Swedish Air Force.

Specifications (Saab 105x–)

Data from:

General characteristics

Crew: 2: student and instructor
Length: 10.8 m (35 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 16.3 m² (175.45 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,849 kg (6,281 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,635 kg (10,218 lb)
Powerplant: 2x— General Electric J85-17B turbojet, 7.49 kN (1,638 lb) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 970 km/h (603 mph)
Range: 2,300 km (1,242 mi)

Armament

6 hardpoints, AAMs, ASMs, gun pods, bombs, rockets

Comparable aircraft

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T-37 Tweet
TT Pinto
A-37 Dragonfly
HAL Kiran
Canadair CL-41 Tutor

Bibliography

Hewson, Robert. "Saab 105/Sk60 Variant Briefing". World Air Power Journal, Volume 23 Winter 1995. London:Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1 874023 64 6. ISSN 0959-7050. pp. 40-49.
Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide. Harper Collins, Glasgow, 1996. ISBN 0-00-470980-2

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia