The Saab 2000 is one of the fastest turboprop airplanes in existence; it is able to cruise at a speed of over 665 km/h (360 kt). It is a stretched version of the Saab 340.
Saab decided to build the 2000 in December 1988 due to perceived demand for a high speed turboprop which could approach the speeds of jet aircraft while retaining the efficiency provided by turboprop engines. The Saab 2000 first flew on 26 March 1992 and entered into service in 1994, a few months after its certification by the Joint Aviation Authorities in March and the Federal Aviation Administration in April.
The Saab 2000 had a 15% greater wingspan than the Saab 340, and being over 24 ft. 9 in. (7.55m) longer could fit up to 50 passengers. The 2000 was the first commercial aircraft to use Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines (then built by Allison), driving slow turning six-bladed Dowty Rotol propellers. One engine was mounted on each wing, as in the 340, with the engines placed farther from the fuselage than those of the 340.
Sales of the Saab 2000 were fairly limited, although 34 were operated by Crossair, an airline Swissair had shares in. Due to poor sales, Saab stopped production of the Saab 2000 in 1999. By the year 2000, only 54 Saab 2000 aircraft were in service. The primary reason for poor sales was the success of low-cost regional jets such as the Bombardier CRJ and Embraer ERJ 145 family which provided better performance and passenger comfort for the same initial price.
Variants
- Saab 2000 : 50-seat regional airliner.
- Saab 2000FI : Flight inspection aircraft for the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. Two built.
Specifications
Powerplants
- Two 3096 kW (4152 shp) Rolls-Royce Allison AE-2100A turboprops driving six blade constant speed Dowty propellers
Weights
- Operating empty 13,800 kg (30,420 lb)
- Max takeoff 22,999 kg (50,704 lb)
Performance
- Max cruising speed 682 km/h (424 mph, 368 kn) at 25,000 ft
- Long range cruising speed 594 km/h (369 mph, 321 kn)
- Initial rate of climb 2250 ft/min (11.4 m/s)
- Service ceiling 31,000 ft
- High speed range with 50 passengers and reserves 2185 km (1180 NM)
- Range at long range cruising speed 2868 km (1549 NM).
Dimensions
- Wing span 24.76 m (81 ft 3 in)
- Length 27.28 m (89 ft 6 in)
- Height 7.73 m (25 ft 4 in)
- Wing area 55.7 m² (600 sq ft)
Capacity
- Flightcrew of three to four
- Normal passenger accommodation for 50 at three abreast and 81 cm (32 in) pitch.
- Max seating for 58 at three abreast and 76 cm (30 in) pitch, with repositioned galley and wardrobe
Flight Deck
- Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite with integrated avionics processor (IAP)
- Engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS)
- Traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)
- The flight control systems include dual Inertial Reference System (IRS) and a digital air data system (DADS)
Operators
Civil operators
As of April 2008, here is a fleet list from Saab Aircraft Leasing:
Three a/c have been broken up (#001-#003), two have been written off (#047 & #053)
Military operators
 Pakistan
In June 2006, Pakistan finalized the purchase of six Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft to be equipped with the Saab-Ericsson ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning system. Revised in May 2007 due to renegotiation with Government of Pakistan, only five airplanes will be delivered. Finally on April 03, 2008 the Pakistani Air Force acquired the Saab 2000 AEW&C with a hand-over ceremony in Sweden.
Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmad was also present on the occasion. According to PAF spokesman, inclusion of Saab 2000 is vital for meeting Pakistan’s security requirements and a big milestone in modernizing PAF fleet.
See also
References
External links
See also:List of civil aircraft
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