The only jet to ever catch an SR-71 Blackbird was the Saab 37 Viggen Fighter.

Synopsis and Main Points:

• Despite the F-22 and F-35 being more recent aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest aircraft ever built, is still unrivaled in legacy. It was retired several decades ago.
• Known as the “Baltic Express,” SR-71 aircraft carried out reconnaissance missions over the Baltic Sea during the Cold War. Because of the Blackbird’s increased speed, the Swedish Saab JA-37 Viggen was able to lock onto an SR-71, an uncommon accomplishment.
• Per-Olof Eldh, a former Swedish pilot, successfully intercepted the SR-71 five times.
• During the Cold War, Swedish Viggens demonstrated their cooperation by escorting a downed SR-71 to safety in 1987.

Saab 37 Viggen Fighter Vs. SR-71 Blackbird: A Cold War Aerial Combat

Decades ago, the fastest aircraft in history was decommissioned from service. During the Cold War, the US-built SR-71 Blackbird achieved unprecedented achievements thanks to its cutting-edge electronics, avionics, and technologies.

The Mach 3.0-capable Blackbird’s legacy is still unrivaled, even in light of the advancement of contemporary fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The Swedish Saab JA-37 jet is the only aircraft to have ever achieved a missile lock on a Blackbird, therefore it is worthy of its own mention.

How a Blackbird Almost Got Away From a Swedish Aircraft

SR-71 aircraft were assigned to fly the same routine over the Baltic Sea during the Cold War; this route was known as the “Baltic Express.”

The Saab J-35F Draken platform was in use at the time by the Swedish Air Force. This was far too ancient an airframe to compete with a Blackbird. However, the Saab J-37 Viggen, which replaced it, was equipped with more sophisticated avionics that allowed it to approach a Blackbird while in flight.
The Viggen’s maximum speed of Mach 2.1 was still very modest when compared to the SR-71’s Mach-3.0 top speed.

Despite this capability difference, one of the Swedish fighters was able to “lock on” to a Blackbird due to the regularity of Blackbird flights, excellent mission planning, and exceptional piloting abilities.
Per-Olof Eldh, a former JA-37 pilot in the Swedish Air Force, stated, “I have five hot intercepts against the SR-71 to my credit in total.” All of them qualify as successful. I was visual three times; the SR-71 was contrailing on a couple of those occasions, which was really helpful as it allowed you to double-check your location visually!”
Naturally, Eldh refrained from firing once he managed to lock on. All that happened was that the two planes came into visual contact with each other.

A Blackbird in Peril Was Also Saved by Saab 37 Viggens

Although this event turned out to be the first successful interception and “lock” on a Blackbird, it is crucial to remember that the American pilots weren’t attempting to evade the friendly airframes known as Viggens. In any case, the Swedish pilot showed remarkable talent and intelligence.
In 1987, the Viggen-Blackbird combination made news once more after an SR-71 engine explosion necessitated a safe ground evacuation. The SR-71 would have been more exposed to a Soviet attack at this low altitude, therefore the Swedish Air Force promptly diverted two of its Viggens to assist it. In the end, the Swedish airframes helped the Blackbird land safely in West Germany.

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Saab 37 Viggen Fighter: The Only Jet to Ever Catch an SR-71 Blackbird (msn.com)

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