(robert arndt) wrote in message . com...
Apparently, SR-71s from Mildenhall cruised up
the Baltic and back at frequent intervals. A couple of Swedish pilots
(probably in Draken's rather than Viggens) decided to have a bit of fun.
So the next time an SR-71 went by, they scrambled with drop-tanks fitted.
One went north to act as the spotter, the other stooged around further
south. When the SR-71 came within radar range of the northern fighter, he
radioed the southern one. That one dropped the external tanks (breaking
peace-time regulations in the process!), turned on full afterburner and
stood the 'plane on its tail. As he reached maximum altitude, he turned on
his radar in targeting mode. He just managed to achieve lock-on before the
SR-71 ECM lit up and totally scrambled his radar picture. The two pilots
then turned for home, where the southern one just managed to land before
running out of fuel. They were apparently subsequently sent a trophy from
the SR-71 detachment, as an award for being the only people ever to have
intercepted an SR-71.

Or so the story goes.

Rob

The version I heard has the SR71 in radio contact and the American
congratulating the Swede.

I suspect it was a Draken. The fighter JA 37 Viggen entered service
in 1979 and the Edit 32 ECCM,FCS, Oerlinkon supergun upgrade in 1993.
The JA 37 also had the more powerfull RM8B smokeless engine in a
lengthened fueselage. Prior to 1979 only the attack version: the AJ
37 was in service (plus special ECM aggressors and recon versions).
Edit 33 allowed the use of AMRAAM though I suspect a good shot with an
Active Skyflash 90 missile (this was called RB.71A in Swedish service)
and was a UK Sparrow derived missile but with an active radar which
might have taken on an SR71. Speed of Skyflash is given as Mach 4+
4520kmh while a Mach 3.6 Blackbird can manage about 3900kmh but I
think it would need to be lauched well within 8km in an almost perfect
tail chase after a zoom climb from Mach 2+ at 60000ft. You would need
several Viggens as an SR71 would have a good chance to pick up a
single Viggen lurking below and ahead waiting for a zoom climb.
Skyflash might be a bit faster: afterall the other Sparrow derived
missile the Italian Aspid manages Mach 5.5.