F-35 Draken | F 35 Draken WDNS |
Available to NATO forces, the F-35 Draken is a Danish multirole combat aircraft. The Saab 35XD Draken was the Danish export version, consisting of the F-35 single-seat strike aircraft variant (A 35XD), TF-35 two-seat trainer (Sk 32XD) and RF-35 reconnaissance aircraft (S 32XD).
History[]
The F-35 Draken is a single engine, single seat, supersonic multirole fighter used by the Royal Danish Air Force. In 1968, the Danish government selected a Saab J 35F Drajeb derivative designated the "J 35X" for the Danish Air Force. The J 35X was similar to the J 35F, but had greater fuel capacity and a maximum external warload of 4,500 kilograms (10,000 pounds). The type was heavily modified to make it into a strike aircraft; compared to the Swedish versions its airframe was reinforced, both in the new outer wing design and the stronger landing gear together with an arrestor hook. The radar was also removed. Interestingly, the runway arresting hook had been part of the Draken design from the start, but SAAB hadn't fitted it to Flygvapnet aircraft. The J 35X was fitted with twin Aden cannons.
Royal Danish Air Force used 20 F-35 in squadrons No. 725 Squadron replacing F-100D. and 20 RF-35 No. 729 Squadron replacing RF-84.
Overview[]
AirLand Battle[]
The Draken is a moderately-priced multi-role combat aircraft available to Danish and NATO decks. It carries the ADEN 30 cannon, a pair of precision guided Bullpup missiles, and four AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles. The type is ideal for attacking PACT tanks, even top of the line ones, thanks to its Bullpup compliment. The Draken is also well suited for dealing with enemy helicopters operating in its vicinity with its four AIM-9J and ADEN cannons. The drawbacks of the Draken are its lack of ECM and lack of a long range AAM. The former leaves the Draken vulnerable to long range SAMs and AAMs, while the later prevents the Draken from being able to deal with enemy fighters at long range. These drawbacks are far from prohibitive, given the Draken's excellent loadout, and with good tactics and a fighter escort, the Draken can cause great damage to a foe's tank forces.
Red Dragon[]
The F 35 Draken in Wargame: Red Dragon is largely unchanged from its AirLand Battle configuration. It carries the same weapons loadout, but has received weak ECM (10%). A significant change, however, is to the AGM-12C Bullpup missile, which has changed from a powerful anti-tank guided missile into a high-explosive guided missile. This will force commanders to re-think tactics for the employment of the Draken, as the type is no longer effective as a heavy tank hunter.
Weapons[]
AirLand Battle[]
Red Dragon[]
See also[]
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