Saab AJS 37 Viggen

Viggen is an iconic Swedish fighter jet that has guarded the Swedish skies for decades. It stands out with its unique silhouette, excellent flight characteristics, and, as you know, it can be noisy. Viggen had excellent low-speed characteristics thanks to its small front wings, which allowed it to take off and land on very short runways. This was crucial for the Swedish defense doctrine, which assumed operations from public roads, not just airports.

One of the most remarkable features of the Viggen was its thrust reverser. After landing, the pilot could direct the engine thrust forward, which significantly shortened the braking distance and allowed the aircraft to stop within a few hundred meters and even go backwards. This solution was very rare in combat aircraft and perfectly suited the concept of operating from improvised bases. The Viggen was also very technologically advanced for its time. It was equipped with one of the first on-board digital computers, which assisted in navigation and attack even in bad weather. The aircraft could perform precision missions at very low altitudes, making it a formidable opponent and a difficult target for air defense. The airplane is part of the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight team.

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