War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

MiG-21bis (Sweden)

2023-04-24T05:09:15Z

U74594955: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig_21_bis_finland
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO Code: Fishbed-L/N) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]].

The MiG-21bis is the ultimate development of the MiG-21. It looks roughly the same as the [[MiG-21SMT]] and [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MiG-21MF]], both third-generation MiG-21 models with search radars, internal GSh-23 cannons, and pronounced fuselage spines. The main improvement in the MiG-21bis is a new R-25 engine with an emergency afterburner stage outputting more than 9,000 kgf of thrust in optimal conditions, granting excellent acceleration and climb rate for a single-engine fighter. The armament remains similar to the MiG-21SMT, but has the option of new R-13M1 infrared missiles similar to the [[AIM-9G]] and up to six R-60MKs - all-aspect versions of the familiar R-60s. Although the MiG-21bis has weak BVR capabilities and lacks the dogfight-tuned airframe of the [[J-7E]], it can still be a powerhouse in close combat for pilots who use its strong engine power, good missile capacity, and ability to pull high AoA turns.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The MiG-21bis has absolutely phenomenal acceleration and high-speed performance making it one of the highest-performing aircraft in the game. Firstly, the aircraft is quite fast, being able to reach 1,365 km/h IAS on the deck (at low altitudes) before its wings rip - this means that it is usually capable of outrunning most enemies at its rank, such as Phantoms and the Mirage, with the exception of the F-104 Starfighters which can outrun the MiG-21bis by a small margin. Secondly, the aircraft has the fastest overall acceleration of any aircraft in the game, meaning that it can reach its top speed quickly. However, like all other MiG-21s, the MiG-21bis cannot turn well and tends to bleed speed at an alarming rate during turns. Extended dogfights should therefore be avoided, as the MiG-21bis will often end up on the losing side.

The MiG-21bis has a strong set of control surfaces including an all-moving tail, which keeps the aircraft responsive up to high speeds (>1,300 km/h). However, be aware that the aircraft has two limiting structural factors: the wings' rip speed and structural G limit. Wings will rip at 1,365 km/h IAS, a speed the plane can reach relatively quickly given its phenomenal acceleration. The structural limit of 13G means stronger turns should thus be avoided as there is a risk that they will rip the aircraft's wings.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,177 || 2,142 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.8 || 38.8 || 191.0 || 179.8 || rowspan="2" | 750
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,305 || 2,240 || 36.4 || 37.0 || 262.7 || 225.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 600 || < 950 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 60 mm bulletproof glass - armoured windscreen
* 10 mm steel - bulkhead behind pilot
* Engine and fuel tanks take up most of the fuselage area behind the cockpit

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (250 rpg)
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 64 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|R-3R|R-3S|R-13M1|R-60MK|S-5K}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

* Without load
* 2 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 4 x R-13M1 missiles
* 4 x R-60MK missiles
* 6 x R-60MK missiles
* 64 x S-5K rockets (4 x 16-rocket pods)
* 64 x S-5K rockets (2 x 32-rocket pods)

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="11%" | 1 !! width="11%" | 2 !! width="11%" | 3 !! width="11%" | 4
| rowspan="6" width="25%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! S-5K rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! R-3R missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-3S missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-13M1 missiles
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! R-60MK missiles
| 1, 2 || 1 || 1 || 1, 2
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The MiG-21bis is fairly manoeuvrable at high speeds and since it accelerates quickly and climbs extremely well, it works well as an interceptor (take off, reach around 1,000 km/h, burst climb at a 20-25 degree angle up to 6,000 or 7,000 m and fire on anything that can be sighted) but this method has some risks.

First, the MiG-21bis is prone being hit by a [[Matra R530E]] or the infamous [[AIM-7E Sparrow|AIM-7]] SARHMs (Semi Active Radar Homing Missiles) that can easily shoot the MiG-21bis down since the plane becomes a brick at higher altitudes. And sometimes, even if the MiG-21bis succeeds in its interception objective, some enemies will fly in a different path, so they'll easily sneak up behind the MiG-21bis and take it down with missiles if it is high and slow enough.

The second way to play this plane is to fly at lower altitudes (below 2,000 m) and engage any targets that are encountered, the risk here is that the MiG-21bis is left vulnerable to high-flying enemies that, again, can easily sneak up and take the MiG-21bis down, so pay attention to the surroundings and avoid getting an IR missile shot up into the engine.

The third, and probably safest, way to play the MiG-21bis is to flank around the main fighting area. Side-climb up to around 4-5 kilometres in the air, making sure to avoid the frequented flight paths so the MiG-21bis does not appear on their radar (additionally, turn off the MiG-21bis' radar during this climb so that the enemies' radar-warning receiver does not pick up the MiG-21's radar as well). Idle around the sides until the main body of the enemy team is spotted and then begin turning towards the battlefield to begin engaging targets. As the MiG-21bis returns, keep an eye for any enemy planes that have a similar idea of flanking around. This scenario usually compose of only one enemy fighter climbing up, which a skilled MiG-21bis pilot can begin engaging in their favour if they have a height advantage. However, if two fighters appears, it is best to break off and move towards the vicinity of allies to help engage.

A more risky but rewarding playstyle is to use 2 x R-13M-1 and 4 x R-60MK, or 4 x R-13M-1, and take advantage of MiG-21's 225 m/s climb rate, which in theory, is superior to even the Phantom FG.1 and FGR.2. Radars on most jets can scan ~15 degrees above the horizontal, and by climbing at Mach 0.90-0.95, it is possible to "fly above the radar" and remain undetected at BVR ranges. At high altitudes, the R-13 can be launched at 3 km in a chase and even farther in a dive against lower targets. Although the MiG-21 has a substantial advantage in transonic manoeuvrability, the MiG-21's delta wings cause significant energy bleed in turns as mentioned above. Making high-speed diving attacks is certainly a valid tactic, and fighting from high altitude downwards makes situational awareness easier as most enemies will be at lower altitudes rather than in all directions. This playstyle is most suitable for principled Phantom pilots who are accustomed to maintaining a high energy state.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

* [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|Phantoms]], particularly [[F-4E]] and [[F-4EJ|EJ]] models: these should be the MiG-21bis' priority targets, F-4Es and F-4EJs are well-known for being extremely versatile and dangerous (even sometimes referred to as the best top tier jets in the game). These planes accelerate quickly, can wield the dangerous [[AIM-9J]] AAMs that are able to pull 20 Gs of overload and can hit targets up to 3 km of range, have access to a large amount of flares and have responsive flight controls. However, a lot of Phantom pilots are overconfident into their planes and will often jump into a dogfight with the MiG-21bis, which is a terrible idea for Phantom pilots. The motto "a slow jet is a dead jet" rings true for most situations, but the MiG-21bis has an ace up its sleeve against Phantoms: better low and high speed manoeuvrability that can sometimes match the Phantom's turn rate! So if a Phantom attempts to dogfight the MiG-21bis, take up the challenge as it'll most likely end up with the Phantom pilots losing. However, only do so if there are allies nearby or if there aren't any enemies nearby or the MiG-21bis may end up getting taken out unexpectedly.
* The [[Mirage IIIC]] and the [[J35D|J35D Draken]]: These planes are also serious foes since they out turn everything at their BR (keep in mind that the J35D Draken is more manoeuvrable than the Mirage) so dogfighting them is a death sentence. They're also able to wield deadly missiles, the Draken wields the Swedish license built AIM-9P3s known as [[RB24J|RB24Js]] and the Mirage has access to the extremely effective [[Matra R550 Magic 1]] that pulls 30 Gs and has a higher top speed than other IR guided missiles. The best thing to do against these planes is to do a zoom-climb to bleed their speed since they have a lower thrust-to-weight ratio than the MiG-21bis and then do oblique turns since they both bleed a ton of speed when turning and have a lower acceleration than the MiG-21bis does. And if they try to fire a missile at the MiG-21bis? Don't worry, pop flares, turn off afterburner, and pull hard.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Impressive climb rate of 225 m/s, making it one of the best climbers
* Increased flight performance compared to earlier MiG-21s
* Excels against both aerial and ground targets
* Has access to flares that are fired downwards, which means that missiles can be more easily evaded
* Stunning acceleration
* Excellent energy retention
* Can wield six R-60MKs
* Huge thrust to weight ratio

'''Cons:'''

* Radar rocket only locks when the stars align
* As all MiG-21s, it tends to bleed speed in turns, though not as much, thanks to the improved engine
* Vicious rudder lock at speeds above 700 km/h, can be frustrating when trying to get guns on target
* Pretty bad low speed manoeuvrability
* Doesn't respond well to wing damage - if a wingtip is lost, landing this plane will be very difficult, and if a wing is lost, the plane should be considered as lost

== History ==

By the late 1960s, the Soviet high command sought to increase the effectiveness of the MiG-21 jet fighter, especially at lower altitudes, while at the same time knowing that this could only be achieved by developing a more powerful engine for it. As a result, in 1971, the order to develop what would essentially become the MiG-21bis was issued by the Soviet high command.

As both the power plant manufacturer - Tumansky - as well as the MiG aircraft design bureau were already working on improvements, this order only officially recognized their work, and as a result, by 1972 the MiG-21bis was ready.

Unlike preceding variants, the MiG-21bis managed to strike a balance between performance and endurance. Additionally, the aircraft was fitted with an improved radar and a systems monitor, which made maintenance substantially easier. Furthermore, the maximum number of missiles the aircraft could carry was increased to six while it also received the option to carry the new R-13M air-to-air missile with increased range, higher G-loading and better seeker tracking over the preceding R-3S. Very manoeuvrable R-60 missiles can be carried as well.

The first MiG-21bis was constructed in 1972 and was adopted into service in the same year. Well over 2,200 units of the MiG-21bis would be manufactured, including licence-built versions. The MiG-21bis was one of the most widely produced variants of the aircraft and saw widespread use with numerous operators around the globe. In fact, some modernized modifications are still in combat use today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig_21_bis_finland Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Sweden jet aircraft}}

A32A

2023-03-15T10:26:03Z

U74594955: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
|about=Swedish strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=the fighter version
|link=J32B
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_a32a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

The A32A "Lansen" was designed and developed by the Swedish company SAAB. The development began in 1948 and it first flew in 1952. Deliveries to the Swedish air force, Flygvapnet, began in 1954. In Flygvapnet it was used as a ground-attack aircraft, being able to carry a large array of different bombs and unguided rockets as well as four 20 mm Akan m/49 canons. It remained in service until 1978 but never saw use in combat. Powered by a license-built Rolls Royce Avon engine, locally designated the RM5, it was able to break the speed of sound in a dive, thus becoming the first Swedish aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,088 || 1,084 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 34.6 || 35.6 || 44.7 || 41.8 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,101 || 1,094 || 33.6 || 34.0 || 66.2 || 55.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 524 || 491 || 320 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 600 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Svenska Flygmotor RM5A || 1
| colspan="2" | 8,322 kg || colspan="3" | 297 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 14m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 46m fuel
|-
| 1,350 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 9,163 kg || 9,523 kg || 10,123 kg || 11,084 kg || 13,500 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 14m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 46m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,424 kgf || 4,633 kgf
| 0.51 || 0.49 || 0.46 || 0.42 || 0.34
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,424 kgf (0 km/h) || 4,899 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 0.53 || 0.51 || 0.48 || 0.44 || 0.36
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 10 mm Steel - Behind the pilot and radioman seats.
* 50 mm Bulletproof glass - Windscreen.
* 15 mm Steel - In front of forward pilot.
* 5 mm Steel - Below forward pilot.
* 5 mm Steel - Just in the upper front of the instrument panel.
* Self-sealing fuel tanks - 8 in each wing, 4 in the fuselage.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Akan m/49 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 20 mm Akan m/49 cannons, nose-mounted (180 rpg = 720 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|sb m/61 (120 kg)|mb m/50 (250 kg)|mb m/56 (500 kg)|mb m/50 (600 kg)|Brandbomb m/58 incendiary}}
{{main|psrak m/49B|srak m/51|hprak m/49}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

* Without load
* 24 x psrak m/49B rockets
* 24 x srak m/51 rockets
* 12 x hprak m/49 rockets
* 12 x 120 kg sb m/61 bombs (1,440 kg total)
* 5 x 250 kg mb m/50 bombs (1,250 kg total)
* 3 x 500 kg mb m/56 bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 3 x 600 kg mb m/50 bombs (1,800 kg total)
* 3 x Brandbomb m/58 incendiary bombs
* 32 x chaff

==== Custom loadout options ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="3.5%" | 1 !! width="3.5%" | 2 !! width="3.5%" | 3 !! width="3.5%" | 4 !! width="3.5%" | 5 !! width="3.5%" | 6 !! width="3.5%" | 7 !! width="3.5%" | 8 !! width="3.5%" | 9 !! width="3.5%" | 10 !! width="3.5%" | 11 !! width="3.5%" | 12 !! width="3.5%" | 13
| rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! 120 kg sb m/61 bombs
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! 250 kg mb m/50 bombs
| || 1 || || || 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || || 1 ||
|-
! 500 kg mb m/56 bombs
| || || || || 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || || ||
|-
! 600 kg mb m/50 bombs
| || || || || 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || || ||
|-
! Brandbomb m/58 incendiary bombs
| || || || || 1 || || 1 || || 1 || || || ||
|-
! hprak m/49 rockets
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
! psrak m/49B rockets
| 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
|-
! srak m/51 rockets
| 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
|-
! Chaff
| || 16 || || || || || || || || || || 16 ||
|-
| colspan="14" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,850 kg
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

In Air Realistic Battles, the A32A can make very effective use of its available bombs. The 3 x [[Mb m/50 (600 kg)|600 kg mb m/50 bombs]] deliver 480 kg of explosive mass each, which is more than enough to destroy a base at its tier. Even though the A32A has mediocre acceleration, it can generally drop its bombs on at least one base, if sufficient at avoiding [[Su-7B|Su-7]]s and/or [[Harrier (Family)|Harrier]]s. From there onwards, it's recommended to either return to the airfield, or pick off targets using the tactic described below.

An alternative route is the traditional fighter route. The aircraft has mediocre manoeuvrability compared to its tier, but has quite decent energy retention, and can be effective if used as a boom and zoom aircraft, maintaining speed as much as possible. Unlike the fighter variant, the [[J32B|J32]], the A32 does not have missiles. This makes it entirely reliant on 4 x 20 mm cannons, which are sufficient in taking down anything that they hit. Be warned, the cannons have a finnicky placement on the bottom of the aircraft, and take some getting used to. The elevator will also lock up at high speeds, which can be a problem.

It is recommended to keep or bring all dogfights at lower altitudes. The A32A performs best relative to other aircraft closer to the deck. When spaded, the aircraft has enough manoeuvrability to allow a decent pilot to reverse pursuing hostiles and score victories.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good roll rate
* Fowler flap design provides excellent lift at low speeds
* Has a wide range of bombs and rockets loadouts, beneficial in tank RB
* Radar warning receiver

'''Cons:'''

* Mediocre manoeuvrability and acceleration, almost every opponent it faces can outmanoeuvre and out-accelerate it
* Very inefficient airbrake design that requires high angle-of-attack or aggressive banking to slow down
* Gets uptiered constantly
* Large target making it easy to get hit
* Can be difficult to land as landing flaps rip above 300 km/h
* Cannons do not have great damage output, requiring precise aim
* Lack of flares
* Lack of anti-air rockers

== History ==

The A32A Lansen was the initial ground-attack variant of the Saab 32 'Lansen' attacker / fighter aircraft. Designed to replace the obsolete propeller-powered Saab 18, the aircraft's design was influenced by late-war German aircraft designs such as the P. 1101, P.1110, P.1111 and P.1112. The aircraft featured a conventional low-mounted swept-wing with a sleek fuselage housing a two-man crew, while the later J 32 fighter variant had a single crewmember. The A32A was introduced in 1955 with a total of 287 aircraft built for the attack role, serving until the end of the 1970s.

Following the end of the Second World War, the primary Swedish ground-attack aircraft was the obsolete Saab 18, a propeller-driven aircraft initially designed in the late 1930s. The initial design was influenced by late-war German aircraft designs such as the P. 1101, P.1110, P.1111 and P.1112, whose blueprints were given to Saab by former Messerschmitt engineers who fled to Switzerland. Among these engineers was Hermann Behrbohm, who would become a key contributor to the Saab 29, 32 and J 35 programs.

In terms of design, the A32A had a sleek fuselage with a low-mounted wing swept 35 degrees. The aircraft was powered by a Svenska Flygmotor RM5, which was a license-produced version of the Rolls-Royce Avon jet engine. This engine provided the A 32A with a thrust-to-weight ratio of ~0.3, while the later J32B fighter featured a heavily-upgraded RM6 engine producing significantly-more thrust. From the outset, the A32A was designed to house significant amounts of electronic warfare and weapons systems. The aircraft carried four 20 mm Oerlikon aircraft cannons in the nose, and could be fitted with unguided weapons including rockets and bombs up to 600 kg. The A32A could also carry two Rb 04 anti-ship missiles, one of the first cruise missiles to enter service.

In total, 287 A32A Lansens were produced for the Swedish Air Force between 1955 and 1957, replacing the Saab 18. The aircraft proved to be fairly reliable in service in terms of both aircraft and weapons systems. Additionally, the A32A was intended to carry nuclear weapons as part of Sweden's nuclear program; these plans were shelved with the end of Sweden's nuclear program. The A32A was Sweden's last dedicated ground-attack aircraft; the last airframes were phased out in the 1970s in favour of the AJ 37 Viggen.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=saab_a32a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
Image:A32A over the sea!.jpg|A32A
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|s6mS74VckHw|'''Nothing To Offer! A32A! - Sweden - Review!''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[J32B]] - Fighter variant of the aircraft.

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/480094-a-32a-lansen/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Saab_32_Lansen|[Wikipedia] Saab 32 Lansen]]

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}