As the design was refined, plans to use the indigenous STAL Dovern turbojet engine were put aside due to technical difficulties in favour of the license-built Rolls-Royce Avon powerplant.

During its lengthy operational life, the Lansen also served in secondary roles, including as an electronic warfare platform, target tug, and research aircraft.

[citation needed] On 20 December 1948, a phase one contract for the design and mock-up of the proposed aircraft was issued, formally initiating development work upon the P1150.

[4][6] The requirements laid out by the Swedish Air Force for the P1150 were demanding: it had to be able to attack anywhere along Sweden's 2,000 km (1,245 miles) of coastline within one hour of launch from a central location.

[5] In response, Saab elected to develop a twin-seat aircraft with a low-mounted wing, and equipped with advanced electronics.

[6] The P1150 broke new grounds for the Swedish Air Force, being their first two-seat jet aircraft, and the first to carry a built-in search radar.

Triangular fences were added near the wing roots during flight testing in order to improve airflow when the aircraft was being flown at a high angle of attack.

[4] The Saab 32 Lansen had a straightforward general arrangement, being one of the first aircraft in the world to be specifically developed to fly attack missions.

The aircraft could be armed with a total of four 20 mm cannon, and wing pylons for various calibers of rockets and assorted bombs.

Hydraulically-boosted ailerons and large Fowler flaps on the wings comprised the primary flight control surfaces, as did the hydraulically assisted elevators of the powered tailplane.

The two-man pilot and navigator crew were contained in a pressurised cockpit, equipped with a single-piece clamshell canopy.

[10][16] On 25 October 1953, a SAAB 32 Lansen attained a Mach number of at least 1.12 while in a shallow dive, exceeding the sound barrier.

[10] In December 1955, deliveries of the A 32A attack variant began, allowing the swift retirement of the last piston-powered B 18 bomber from Swedish service shortly thereafter.

According to Bill Gunston and Peter Gilchrist, the A 32A proved to be extremely effective, both in terms of serviceability and the accuracy of its armaments.

[20] The accidents were due to a combination of technical faults, the aircraft not being ready for service, and training deficiencies in regards to flying at night and in adverse weather.

In June 1971, the replacement of the A 32A formally began, the more advanced Saab 37 Viggen being slowly used to take over its attack responsibilities.

[1][6] In 2010, at least two Lansens were still operational, having the sole task of taking high altitude air samples for research purposes in collaboration with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.

Data from The Great Book of Fighters,[28] Combat Aircraft since 1945[2]General characteristics Performance Armament