250, 500 and 600 kg bombs for the Viggen

I've been reading World Air Power Journal Volume 13 (1993). Within it is a lengthy and detailed article on the Viggen. I was surprised to read the Viggen, starting with the AJ 37 version, can carry, not only SB 71 120 kg bombs (aka M63 FFV bombs), but also 250, 500 and 600 kg bombs (see pics).

Does Heatblur intend to make these heavier bomb loads available to the DCS Viggen?

I wouldn't trust that book too much.

The latest swedish jet that could carry bombs that big was the A32 Lansen, serviced 1956-'78. Except for Gripen of course.

Most books about military aircraft (and tanks, etc) consist to some degree of made-up nonsense presented as fact. This is a good example of that. While there were 250, 500 and 600 kg bombs for the A32 Lansen, that (and its bombs) had been retired for 15 years by 1993. To my knowledge the Swedish Air Force has never used a 120kg bomb with the designation m/63 either, so heavens know where that came from.

If it doesn't cite any sources, disregard it. If it does cite sources, look them up. Even experienced writers make mistakes.

I wouldn't trust that book too much.

The latest swedish jet that could carry bombs that big was the A32 Lansen, serviced 1956-'78. Except for Gripen of course.

Those drop tanks, aren't they J 29 Tunnan tanks?!

Thanks for the info. But then what in the swedish doctrine made heavier bombs unnecessary?

Thanks for the info. But then what in the swedish doctrine made heavier bombs unnecessary?

I can't point to a specific doctrinal answer to that but my guess would be that guided weapons replaced them. The 1961 air force tactics manual for strike squadrons has a table of recommended weapon options against various targets on page 26. The heavier bombs (mb, minbomb, bomb with little or no splinter effect, as opposed to sprängbomb) are recommended as the first-hand alternative for use against:

• Small ships such as MTB's, minesweepers, escort ships and small cargo ships
  
• Radar installations and missile control systems
  
• Air base ammunition depots
  
• Runways
  
• Railroads, railway stations and rolling stock
  
• Bridges
  
• Harbours and harbour equipment
  
• Army FOB's etc
  

For many of these the 120 kg splinter bombs are a secondary or equally good alternative. Many of the others are point targets like bridges, piers, ammo depots or small ships, where the rb 75/rb 75T/rb 05 would probably be preferred. What remains then is basically runways, and I guess the air force didn't consider that important enough of a target to keep the heavier bombs around.

Thanks for the info. But then what in the swedish doctrine made heavier bombs unnecessary?

Guided munitions, especially the RB-75T, which has been developed by Sweden to strike heavy targets like bunkers or bridges.