Olof Ljungström

Olof Ljungström was born in 1918 as the son of Fredrik Ljungström and Signe (née Söderberg). He studied at Whitlockska samskolan, and Aeronautics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Military service as automotive engineer at the Swedish Air Force 1939-1940. He acquired a Ph.D. in transportation and aviation technology at the Royal Institute of Technology in 1973.

Olof Ljungström made contributions as engineer both in family businesses, notably in shale oil extraction, and beyond.

He was as aerodynamic engineer, recruited by Saab AB for aircraft development under Erik Bratt. He worked with models from Saab 17 and Saab 29 Tunnan to Saab 35 Draken, the latter which was originally due to employ the jet engine STAL Dovern. The serious problems with internal supersonic aerodynamics of the prototype Saab 210 made him and Einar Bergström radically reconstruct the internal air channels of the Saab 35 Draken and moving the air intakes to the side. A design that became the standard for all future air fighters with engines internal in the fuselage.

As experts of internal aerodynamics he and Bergström 1957-1964 also made the design of the Saab 401 hovercraft and development of the project for the Swedish Navy.

Due to his wide knowledge in the field, he was appointed visiting professor in aircraft design at the Stanford University 1966-1967 and California Institute of Technology 1968, United States.

Furthermore, Olof Ljungström was an international pioneer in wind power. He initiated the governmental project of wind power in Sweden at Styrelsen för teknisk utveckling in 1974.

Ljungström has contributed as technical writer and editor in Teknisk Tidskrift (1960-1975), among other publications. Having worked close to his father Fredrik Ljungström, he wrote an extensive biography on him, Fredrik Ljungström 1875-1964 - Uppfinnare och inspiratör, in 1999.

• Honorary member of the Swedish Society of Aeronatics and Astronautics