Light attack flashback

[Micael]

So it’s been a couple of decades or so since the Swedish airforce Sk60 jet trainers had an operational role in wartime as light attack aircraft.

However some photos popped up that shows that they’re still rated to carry ordnance, as part of the pilot training. Distinct blast from the past for me, I didn’t know that they’d retained the basic capability. Regardless the Sk60s are already past their desired retirement date and will be removed from service in the near future.

[Lordroel]

So it’s been a couple of decades or so since the Swedish airforce Sk60 jet trainers had an operational role in wartime as light attack aircraft.

However some photos popped up that shows that they’re still rated to carry ordnance, as part of the pilot training. Distinct blast from the past for me, I didn’t know that they’d retained the basic capability. Regardless the Sk60s are already past their desired retirement date and will be removed from service in the near future.

So who will replace them, the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk, it is a joint Boeing/Saab trainer.

[Craiglxviii]

These are the ones slated to carry out extreme low-level rocket attacks on Soviet beachheads?

[MikeKozlowski]

Micael,

I LOVE the FETs (Field Expedient Targets).

Follow up question - will these birds be replaced by the SAAB-Boeing T-7? I know that bird has a light attack capability (and a good one) built in.

Mike

[Micael]

So it’s been a couple of decades or so since the Swedish airforce Sk60 jet trainers had an operational role in wartime as light attack aircraft.

However some photos popped up that shows that they’re still rated to carry ordnance, as part of the pilot training. Distinct blast from the past for me, I didn’t know that they’d retained the basic capability. Regardless the Sk60s are already past their desired retirement date and will be removed from service in the near future.

So who will replace them, the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk, it is a joint Boeing/Saab trainer.

Good likelihood that the T-7 will be ordered in the coming years, there’s an interim solution being put in place at the moment with Grob G 120TP and dual seat Gripens filling in.

[Micael]

These are the ones slated to carry out extreme low-level rocket attacks on Soviet beachheads?

Yes, and they were also intended to be used in a manner approximating the CAS approach. The Sk60s were more available for use by the average ground commanders than the heavy strike as those were considered strategic assets and were subordinate to the supreme commander personally. The idea with those were to execute very large strikes against the most prioritized targets, such as a Soviet landing fleet.

This is a video of the Sk60 training its strike role, it shows the standard approach of popping up just by the target and hitting it at an angle. In the dark they had one plane fly just before the others and drop an illumination bomb above it, the rest would then pop up and aim as during the day.

[Micael]

Micael,

I LOVE the FETs (Field Expedient Targets).

Follow up question - will these birds be replaced by the SAAB-Boeing T-7? I know that bird has a light attack capability (and a good one) built in.

Mike

Yeah I somehow think that that wasn’t a coincidence.

Probably in the longer run. There was issues with how to pay for them (prior to the budget increases) and also the Swedish airforce didn’t really like having the instructor behind the student, the Sk60 is side-by-side.

An interim solution has been deviced in which Grob G 120TPs have been acquired and designated Sk40. These will handle the initial basic flying stage. The tactical flying stage (which the rocket equipped Sk60 in the photos were engaged in) will be filled by twin seater Gripen Ds for a bit. Also we’ve apparently contracted the Italian airforce to handle some training in the short term as it’s possible that there’ll be capacity issues during the changeover process. Have to retrain the instructors and such.

I would guess that the T-7 will be aquired now that the budget is going up, and will then replace the Gripen Ds in the training process, and that they’ll settle for the Sk40 having the side-by-side layout during the basic flying stage.

[Craiglxviii]

These are the ones slated to carry out extreme low-level rocket attacks on Soviet beachheads?

Yes, and they were also intended to be used in a manner approximating the CAS approach. The Sk60s were more available for use by the average ground commanders than the heavy strike as those were considered strategic assets and were subordinate to the supreme commander personally. The idea with those were to execute very large strikes against the most prioritized targets, such as a Soviet landing fleet.

This is a video of the Sk60 training its strike role, it shows the standard approach of popping up just by the target and hitting it at an angle. In the dark they had one plane fly just before the others and drop an illumination bomb above it, the rest would then pop up and aim as during the day.

That’s it, the huge plumes of black smoke!!!

[Micael]

These are the ones slated to carry out extreme low-level rocket attacks on Soviet beachheads?

Yes, and they were also intended to be used in a manner approximating the CAS approach. The Sk60s were more available for use by the average ground commanders than the heavy strike as those were considered strategic assets and were subordinate to the supreme commander personally. The idea with those were to execute very large strikes against the most prioritized targets, such as a Soviet landing fleet.

This is a video of the Sk60 training its strike role, it shows the standard approach of popping up just by the target and hitting it at an angle. In the dark they had one plane fly just before the others and drop an illumination bomb above it, the rest would then pop up and aim as during the day.

That’s it, the huge plumes of black smoke!!!

They had a pretty high public profile as well as they also featured in Team 60, the airforce display team. (Nominally still do but Team 60 was inactive for a number of years then popped up again for a while around 2018 and now seems to be inactive again.)

Fun thing it was the same aircraft and pilots that filled all three roles. Pilot training, light attack and air display. The latter two were flown by the instructor pilots, and while only some aircraft were painted in the Team 60 livery, those were also used in the other two roles. Might be a bit unique.
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[Micael]

As the SK 60 is almost about to be retired now, looking like this year will be its last in active service, it is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Today we salute Saab 105, also known as SK 60, on its 60 years anniversary since first flight. The special painting is as an hommage to the history and how airplanes were painted in the Swedish Air Force flight school during the 30´s.

[jemhouston]

Still a good looking bird.

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

Will they be 'retired' to Ukraine ??

[Craiglxviii]

Will they be 'retired' to Ukraine ??

You may think so but he couldn’t possibly comment!

[jemhouston]

Will they be 'retired' to Ukraine ??

You may think so but he couldn’t possibly comment!

How long would they survive?

[Micael]

I guess in this war one should never say never. However, they’re worn out and doesn’t add much capability so I doubt they’ll wound up in Ukraine.

[Micael]

As part of the sendoff they sent one to RIAT for a solo display. It won the King Hussein Memorial Sword award.



The Gripen E made its airshow debut solo display appearance and won the Best Solo Jet Demonstration (Paul Bowen Trophy):

[Micael]

Here’s a neat cockpit video of the winning SK60 display: