APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090022-2
speaking its policy has been to have one major system in operation, one in production, and one system under development. Since the late 1940s, SAAB has developed four jet fighter or interceptor aircraft; the J-29 Flying Barrel, J-32 Lansen, J-35 Draken, and J-37 Viggen multirole combat aircraft. The Aerospace Group of SAAB-Scania AB employs about 5,800 workers, representing roughly 20% of the entire corporate work force. In production at Linkoping are the export version of the J-35 Draken supersonic fighter and Saab 105 trainer and light aircraft, as well as the initial production version of the AJ-37 Viggen. The production of Flygmotor, where 2,000 workers are employed, includes the RM-8 adaptation of the Pratt and Whitney JT-8D engine; production of the RM-6C Swedish version of the Rolls Royce Avon 300 series has been completed. Both of these engines are fitted with afterburners that are Swedish developments based on U.S. technology.
The development of fast interceptor and strike (ground attack) aircraft has been emphasized. The manned interceptor is considered to be the cornerstone of Swedish air defense, and the mainstay of the air defense system is the J-35 Draken aircraft. The Draken is an all-weather multipurpose (interceptor/reconnaissance/strike fighter) system capable of Mach 1.4 in sustained flight.
Fight testing of the AJ-37 Viggen essentially has been completed, and initial production of the system is underway. The Viggen is expected to absorb most of the Swedish aircraft production effort into the early 1980's. The Viggen is a multipurpose aircraft; its variants are intended to perform the attack, fighter/interceptor, reconnaissance, and training mission roles. The basic system is a canard-configured, double delta-winged aircraft capable of exceeding Mach-2 flight. Compared with the J-35 Draken, the Viggen has higher top speeds and better acceleration at all flight altitudes; it has better STOL performance, including that of being able to operate from fields with runways under 1,600 feet in length.
The country has a small missile program confined mainly to the manufacture under license of foreign-developed, short-range, tactical weapons. Swedish technology is more than adequate to produce missiles of foreign design, to modify such weapons to meet particular needs, and in some cases to improve upon the original design. As a small country with limited financial and scientific resources, Sweden cannot develop a missile industry to meet all of its needs. Therefore, by means of independent, continuous study, the Swedes strive to keep themselves informed of the latest foreign missile research and are competent enough to recognize those developments abroad that have significance to their defense effort. The missile program includes the development and production of air-to-air, air-to-surface, an antiaircraft, and short-range ground and naval-launched missiles.
In the air-to-air missile field, the Swedes have manufactured under license the U.S. Falcon missile, bearing the Swedish designations of RB-27 (with radar homing) and RB-28 (with infrared homing). The Swedes are developing an infrared homing air-to-air missile, the RB-29. This missile is to have a low-level capability, longer range, and a larger warhead than its two predecessors. Development testing of the RB-29 is projected for the spring of 1974; tooling up for production will be initiated following the end of RB-28 production that is being carried out to fulfill an order from the Finnish Air Force. Production of the RB-27 has already ended.
Air-to-surface missiles include the RB-04 and a modified version, the RB-04E, that is expected to enter production in 1973. The E modified system employs a higher thrust rocket motor and has improved guidance over the RB-04 model. Another missile program, the RB-05, has been under development for almost 10 years, but little success has been achieved.
An antiaircraft missile system is being developed by AB Bofors for the Royal Swedish Army. Designated the RB-70, the system is designed for use where optical identification of enemy aircraft is possible and reportedly is immune to jamming.
Sweden has an excellent capability for the design and development of army combat material. The country has designed and produced virtually all of its ground force material for many years, including fire-control equipment and tanks. Research on artillery weapons has been especially noteworthy. The Swedes have developed a rapid-firing 155-mm automatic self-propelled gun and are developing a 155-mm towed artillery weapon. Work on the latter weapon has progressed on the prototype stage. Work also is underway on the development of supporting ammunition.
Rocket technology has continued to advance, and several rocket-type weapons have been produced. In the design, development, and production of rocket-assisted projectiles and shoulder-fired rockets, all necessary components have been produced indigenously.
Research is underway to improve the mobility and firepower of combat vehicles, an area of endeavor in which Sweden has an excellent capability. One of the more significant armored vehicles under development in a non-Communist country is the self-propelled gun
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090022-2
