Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for sensors and command-and-control systems for a ground-based air defense system (GBAD) solution for the Swedish Army brigades. The order value is approximately SEK 1.2 billion. Deliveries will take place between 2029 and 2030. The command-and-control and sensor systems continue to build on previous deliveries to FMV, strengthening Sweden’s ground-based air defense capability. This contract will provide the end-user with an improved ability to detect and counter advanced aerial threats. Giraffe AMB delivers key capabilities for short to medium range Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), creating time to secure freedom of manoeuvre and support air superiority. The combination of a powerful surveillance radar and integrated command-and-control functionality (LSS Lv) provide forces with swift understanding of the air situation, enabling immediate and effective responses to changing threats and new tactics in shifting operational conditions.
“We are very proud to contribute to strengthening the ground-based air defense capability of the Swedish Army brigades. It will enhance their capability to conduct air defence operations and represents an important recognition of our Giraffe AMB and GBAD command-and-control system, says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
The Saab (formerly Ericsson Microwave Systems AB) Giraffe Radar is a family of land and naval two- or three-dimensional G/H-band (4 to 8 GHz) passive electronically scanned array radar-based surveillance and air defense command and control systems. It is tailored for operations with medium- and Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) missile or gun systems, or for use as gap-fillers in a larger air defense system. The radar gets its name from the distinctive folding mast which when deployed allows the radar to see over nearby terrain features such as trees, extending its effective range against low-level air targets. The first systems were produced in 1977. By 2007, some 450 units of all types are reported as having been delivered.
Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (AMB) is a digital antenna array radar. It provides multi-beam 3-Dimensional air coverage at 5.4 to 5.9 GHz. It has instrumented ranges of 30 km (19 mi), 60 km (37 mi) and 100 km (62 mi). The altitude coverage is extended from ground-level to 20,000 metres (66,000 ft) with 70-degree elevation coverage. The data rate is 1-scan per-second. Its maintained pulse density suppresses high cluttering in adverse weather conditions. Ultra-low antenna side-lobes combined with pulse-to-pulse and burst-to-burst frequency agility provides some resistance to jamming.
