Saab S 32C Lansen

The Saab 32 Lansen, designated S 32C in its attack variant, was a Swedish, single‑engine, jet‑powered aircraft produced by the Saab Group during the 1950s and 1960s. First flown on 3 October 1952, the Lansen entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1955, replacing older piston‑propeller fighters and fulfilling both attack and reconnaissance roles. Its signature features included a mid‑wing layout, a powerful Svenska Flygmotor RM6C turbo‑jet delivering 7,800 lbf thrust, and a robust airframe capable of carrying bombs, rockets, and later nuclear weapons for deterrence missions. The aircraft incorporated an advanced (for its time) all‑moving tailplane, ejection seats, and a sophisticated navigation‑attack system that allowed precision strikes in adverse weather. Production numbers reached 320 airframes, and the type remained operational until 1979, when it was succeeded by more modern platforms such as the Saab 37 Viggen. The Lansen’s contribution to Sweden’s indigenous defense capability demonstrated the nation’s ability to design and manufacture high‑performance jet aircraft, influencing later Scandinavian aerospace projects and cementing Saab’s reputation as a leading military‑aviation manufacturer. Although never exported, the Lansen served as a testbed for avionics that later appeared in the JAS 39 Gripen, linking it directly to Sweden’s contemporary fighter lineage.

Saab Group

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Design & Classification