Saab RB05

Saab 305 / RB05
Board with color print of the SAAB RB05
Type	Air-to-surface and limited air-to-air
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
In service	1972 – 2005
Used by	Sweden
Production history
Manufacturer	Missile – Saab-Scania, Missiles and Electronics Engine – Volvo Flygmotor^[1]
Specifications
Mass	305 kg (672 lb)
Length	3.6 m (11.8 ft)
Diameter	0.3 m (11.8 in)
Wingspan	0.8 m (31.5 in)
Warhead	160 kg high explosive
Detonation mechanism	Proximity fuze

Engine	VR 35^[a] liquid propellant rocket engine^[1]
Operational range	9 km (5.6 mi/4.9 nm)
Maximum speed	supersonic
Guidance system	radio controlled manual command to line of sight
Launch platform	Saab 37 Viggen Saab 105

The Saab RB05 (abbreviation of Swedish: robot 05, "missile 05"), initially named Saab 305 (RB 305)^[b] or AT 3 internally, was a short-range air-to-surface missile with limited air-to-air capability that was developed in the 1960s by the Swedish company Saab-Scania, Missiles and Electronics for the Swedish Air Force.

History

The RB 05 was developed as a ground attack missile for the Saab 37 Viggen fighter-bomber and Saab 105 trainer aircraft in 1967. The missile was tracer guided using radio controlled manual command to line of sight (MCLOS), which meant that aiming had to be done separate to piloting, either requiring a two-seat cockpit with a dedicated missile gunner, as per the Saab 105, or a central computer which could control the aircraft during guidance, as present on the Saab 37 Viggen.

During development, Saab used a variety of Saab 35 Draken prototypes for testing. Saab 35 prototypes with tandem trainer cockpits were used for many of the firing trials, as the guidance equipment could be easily retrofitted into the secondary cockpit to trial guidance with a dedicated missile gunner.

The RB 05 was issued for operative use in 1972.

Saab 35-10 (prototype 10) with RB 305 during trials.
Programming of RB 05 at Saab.

Use

The missile would usually be launched after a high-speed attack run at very low altitude and climb to 400 m for launch. The supersonic speed was deemed necessary to reduce the threat of surface-to-air missiles. Since RB 05 was roll-stabilized, the aircraft did not need to be aimed straight at the target when launching, and would immediately descend again.

Tracking the flares on the missile, the pilot would then guide the missile optically (the missile's engine was smokeless as to not obscure the view) with a joystick towards the target. Guidance commands were transmitted to the missile via a jam-proof radio transmission link.

Variants

Saab 305A – RB 05 A : initial variant with radio guidance, aimed optically using a tracer.
Saab 305B – RB 05 B : prototyped TV-guided variant. Tested in the early 1970s but the design was scrapped in favour of adopting the AGM-65 Maverick (RB 75) for economic reasons.
Saab 305C – RB 05 C : proposed command/IR guided version. During use the pilot would aim the aircraft on to the target. In the aircraft there would be an IR sensor that measured in the missile and gave data to the aircraft computer, which calculated control signals for the missile. Not much is known. Cancelled.

There also existed inert variants for mounting and flight training, painted in green with the text "blind" on the side. Live munition was painted with a yellow stripe over the warhead.