Saab 2000 Family
The Saab 2000 is one of the fastest and most technologically daring regional turboprops ever constructed. Famously dubbed the "Concorde of turboprops," it was engineered by Saab to deliver pure jet cruise speeds—reaching 365 knots (420 mph / 665 km/h) and a ceiling of 31,000 feet—while maintaining the economical fuel consumption of a turboprop. Featuring a 7.55-meter fuselage stretch over the Saab 340, advanced Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics, and twin Rolls-Royce AE 2100A engines turning slow-revolving 6-blade composite propellers, the Saab 2000 offered passengers whisper-quiet cabin acoustics thanks to an active noise-canceling microphone system.
Saab 2000 Technical Matrix
| Specification | Saab 2000 Standard | Saab 2000 Extended Range | Saab 340B (Comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Passenger Capacity | 50–58 | 48–50 | 33–36 |
| Overall Length | 27.28 m / 89 ft 6 in | 27.28 m / 89 ft 6 in | 19.73 m / 64 ft 9 in |
| Wingspan | 24.76 m / 81 ft 3 in | 24.76 m / 81 ft 3 in | 21.44 m / 70 ft 4 in |
| Tail Height | 7.73 m / 25 ft 4 in | 7.73 m / 25 ft 4 in | 6.97 m / 22 ft 10 in |
| Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW) | 22,800 kg / 50,265 lbs | 23,000 kg / 50,700 lbs | 13,155 kg / 29,000 lbs |
| Max Range (Full Payload) | 1,550 nm / 2,870 km | 1,750 nm / 3,241 km | 935 nm / 1,732 km |
| Engines (2x) | Rolls-Royce AE 2100A | Rolls-Royce AE 2100A | GE CT7-9B |
| Takeoff Power (Per Engine) | 4,152 shp / 3,096 kW | 4,152 shp / 3,096 kW | 1,870 shp / 1,394 kW |
| Normal / High Cruise Speed | 365 kts / 665 km/h | 370 kts / 685 km/h | 282 kts / 522 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 31,000 ft / 9,450 m | 31,000 ft / 9,450 m | 25,000 ft / 7,620 m |
| Propellers | 6-blade Dowty Rotol composite | 6-blade Dowty Rotol composite | 4-blade Dowty Rotol |
Program History & Milestone Timeline
Saab committed to developing a 50-seat high-speed turboprop airliner following a 25-aircraft launch order from Swiss regional carrier Crossair, aiming to disrupt the 500-mile regional market.
Prototype aircraft SE-001 took off from Saab's Linköping airfield, demonstrating impressive acceleration, climb rate of over 2,000 ft/min, and exceptional stability.
The Saab 2000 was awarded joint airworthiness certification by the European JAA and US FAA, pioneering the first operational Active Noise and Vibration Control system in commercial aviation.
Crossair inaugurated commercial operations across European regional routes, establishing record flight times for turboprop equipment between Basel, Zurich, and major European business capitals.
Although the regional jet boom of the late 1990s limited total production to 63 airframes, the Saab 2000 remains one of the most capable and revered regional transports ever built, serving high-demand routes with Eastern Airways, Loganair, and military airborne early warning wings.