While the most well-known Cold War-era military jet aircraft came from Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, Sweden quietly developed what would become the most advanced fighter jet in Europe at the time.

The Saab 37 Viggen was a mighty machine with a name that alluded to millennia-old Norse mythology, and it was easily recognizable as it was the first canard design aircraft produced in quantity.

The historic aircraft could fly steadily at speeds above Mach 2 at high altitudes and operate from short runways, ready to serve their home country at a moment’s notice.

And despite Sweden maintaining a strict policy of neutrality at the height of the Cold War, its pilots were willing to risk their lives to do the right thing if a nuclear conflict with Russia were to explode, with their Viggens more than ready for battle…

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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.