Saab 35 Draken Facts for Kids

A Draken on a runway

The Saab 35 Draken is a famous fighter aircraft built by the Swedish company Saab. Its name, "Draken," means "kite" or "dragon" in Swedish. This cool jet first flew in 1955 and started being used in 1960. It was designed to replace an older plane called the Saab 29 Tunnan. The Draken was special because it used a unique delta wing shape, which helped it fly very fast. In fact, it was the first aircraft from Sweden to fly at more than twice the speed of sound!

What is the Draken like?
- How does the Draken fly?
- What weapons does the Draken carry?
Who used the Draken?
Related aircraft and terms
Images for kids
See also

What is the Draken like?

The Draken is a powerful jet. It is about 50 feet (15.35 meters) long, 30 feet (9.42 meters) wide, and 12 feet (3.89 meters) tall. When it's empty, it weighs around 18,188 pounds (8,250 kilograms). But when it's ready to fly with fuel and equipment, it can weigh up to 27,050 pounds (12,270 kilograms).

How does the Draken fly?

This aircraft is powered by a Volvo Flygmotor RM 6C jet engine. This engine gives it the power to fly incredibly fast.

What weapons does the Draken carry?

The Draken is armed with two 30mm cannon. It can also carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which are used to shoot down other aircraft.

Who used the Draken?

The Saab 35 Draken was used by several countries around the world. Here are the main ones:

Related aircraft and terms

Images for kids

Saab 35 prototype (Fpl 35-1) flying. This early version was called Urban Röd (Urban Red).
Saab 35B prototype landing after reaching Mach 2 for the first time on January 14, 1960.
Underside of a Saab SK35C Draken.
Draken performing a kort parad, a special flying move.
Two J 35A2 Drakens flying over Sweden in the early 1960s.
Saab 35FS Draken (DK-241), which used to fly for Finland, now in a museum. In the background is a two-seat trainer, Saab 35CS Draken (DK-270).
Fpl 35-1 and 35-2, two early Draken models.
Fpl 35-10 fitted with an RB 05 air-to-ground missile for testing.
Saab 35B (J 35B´(prim)) in the aerobatics team Acro Deltas (1963–1966), 1964.
Saab 35C.
Saab 35D.
Saab 35E.
Saab 35F.
Saab 35J.
Saab 35XD (F-35 Draken).
Saab 35XD prototype with an AGM-12B Bullup air-to-ground missile and AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missile under each wing.
F-35 Draken, fitted with 4 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs.
Saab 35XS (DK-203).
Saab 35FS (DK-241).
Saab 35CS (DK-262).
Map showing former Saab 35 Draken Operators in red.
An Austrian Air Force Draken.
A Finnish Air Force Trainer Draken.
An ex-RDAF RF-35XD N217FR operated by the National Test Pilot School taking off from the Mojave Spaceport.
A Saab Draken at the Växjö Air Show 2012.
A 3-view drawing of the Saab J 35 Draken.
Missiles used on the J 35F and J 35J (from left to right):

Robot 24B Robot 24J Robot 27 Robot 28 RB 24B RB 24J RB 27 RB 28 Ford AIM-9B Ford AIM-9J HAC HM-55 HAC HM-58
An F-35 WDNS Draken.
An RF-35 WDNS Draken.
A TF-35 WDNS Draken.

Saab 35 Draken facts for kids

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