The FMV will convert three second hand Learjet 60s for target-towing and electronic warfare training duties
The newly acquired aircraft will replace the two 1970s-era Learjet 35s currently employed in the same role, operating from Malmen air base near Linkoping. Target towing and EW training were previously the responsibility of the air force’s Målflygdivisionen (target flight division) or Målflyg, based at Malmen. Target towing was taken over by the civilian company Nyge Aero from 1997, until the company was bought by Saab, whose Aerial Target Services operation flew Learjets and MU-2s from Stockholm-Bromma. The FMV’s test and evaluation organisation at Linköping took over responsibility for target flight operations for the Armed Forces in March 2021, operating from Malmen military airport.
Although primarily operated in support of Sweden’s armed forces the FMV’s target towing/EW training Learjet 35s have participated in a number of national and international exercises, including carrying out simulated attack missions in co-operation with Finnish and Polish units during the Aurora 23 exercise.
Sweden’s target tugs have traditionally been painted yellow for conspicuity, and to differentiate them from the orange targets that are intended to be shot at! Today’s Learjets follow that tradition.
The FMV’s target flight operations are now being modernized and expanded in order to be able to meet the growing demand from the Armed Forces. The Learjet 35s now in use were built in the 1970s and are beginning to wear out, while problems obtaining spare parts have led to availability issues.
Carolina Dryselius, project manager at FMV, said that: “In the long term, we need to replace our two Learjet 35s, which are used for target towing and jamming. That is why we are acquiring three Learjet 60s, which are a slightly more modern and larger aircraft.”
Since the Learjet 60 is no longer manufactured, the FMV had to purchased its new aircraft from the second-hand market. “We have worked together with aircraft brokers and looked at a total of ten objects with associated documentation to identify these three. The aircraft model was already decided, after previous investigation of various possibilities,” Carolina Dryselius explained.
The selected aircraft were found in the USA and, after extensive inspection, were delivered to Sweden. The acquisition was completed within less than ten months.
Major modifications and rebuilds will have to be undertaken to enable the new aircraft to carry out their new role. As the entire interior will be replaced the opportunity will be taken to significantly improve the working environment for the operators.
All three aircraft had been on site in Linköping for just over a week when the FMV issued its release on 19 December.
