SAAB MILITARY Aircraft is to deliver to the Swedish air force by the end of September the first nine upgraded Saab 105 trainers fitted with the Williams Rolls-Royce FJ44 engine.
The upgraded aircraft are to have the military designation SK60W, and Saab says that they will remain in service "well beyond the year 2010". A total of 96 aircraft is being upgraded.
The original contract signed in November 1993, called for the re-engineing of a total of 115 aircraft, but this was reduced because of defence-budget cuts. The majority of the upgrade work after the first batch of nine aircraft will be carried out at the Swedish Air Force Flight Academy, Wing F5, based at Ljungbyhed. Saab will continue to perform the necessary air-intake modifications for the upgrade at its Link"ping site.
The basic SK60 is powered by 7.3kN (1,600lb)-thrust Turbom,ca/Snecma Aubisque turbofans. At 205kg, the new, 8.45kN FJ44s are lighter, and boost the aircraft's climb and take-off performance while providing better economics. The Saab 105/SK60 is a jet trainer with attack, reconnaissance and liaison capability. According to the manufacturer, 190 of the aircraft were produced between 1965 and 1972 for the Swedish and Austrian air forces.
Since 1987, the SK60 has been the Swedish air force's only basic trainer, used for all training from the primary stage through to advanced and tactical training. Some 140 aircraft, from an original purchase of 150, remain in service. It is unclear what will happen to the aircraft, which are not upgraded.
Source: Flight International
