Sk60 / Saab 105 trainer/light attack aircraft

The Saab 105 trainer was a private venture by Saab to build a jet trainer to replace the Vampires used by the Swedish air force in the 1950's and 1960's. A contract was signed in 1962 and the first prototype flew in 1963. During 1966-68 148 Saab 105, designated Sk 60, was delivered to the Swedish air force where they were placed in service with the central flying school at F 5, Ljungbyhed, and the caded school F 20 at Uppsala (colocated with the F 16 wing).

Some 30 Sk 60As were modified into Sk 60C standard starting in 1970. This entailed the same wing and weapon modifications as on Sk 60B, with the armament options beeing either a podded 30 mm Aden gun under each wing, or a total of 12 135 mm ground attack rockets. In addition, the nose was lengthened to give room for a panoramic reconnaissance camera. ). The two-seat versions can also be used as a four-seat liaison aircraft by replacement of the two ejection seats.

Saab was completing a life extension programme on 142 Saab 105 trainer/light attack aircraft (Swedish Air Force Sk60) in early 1991. A development of the Saab 105 is also entered, as the Saab 2060, in the competition for the US Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS), for which a new engine, new escape system and new avionics would be fitted. Starting in 1995, a total of 105 SK 60s were given new engines, quiter, more powerful and more economic. Their designation will not be SK 60W, which has been used internally by Saab Military Aircraft, but remain SK 60A, B and C. At the same time, they were given new instruments, for example LCD attitude indicators.

The Saab 105 (SK 60) was originally powered by two Turbomeca Aubisque low-bypass turbofan engines, license-built by Svenska Flygmotor as RM9. Most Swedisch SK 60 were later (starting in 1995) modified by replacement of the engines with Williams FJ 44-1C (Volvo Aero RM15) turbofan engines.

In 1970-72 40 were exported to Austria. These had more powerful GE J85 engines at 1280 kp. The Saab 105OE as it's designated, has a top speed of 970 km/h, climb rate of 75 m/s and a maximum altitude of 13000 m. The Saab 105 Ö [Österreichischen] is a light, twin-engine jet aircraft designed in light alloy construction a with a T-tail, arranged side by side ejection seats, and is approved in the standard for 2 persons. Special: Converting to a four-seater version possible. They provided raining flights for the pilots of the surveillance Squadron.