Saab UK has delivered Giraffe 1X radar systems to the Royal Air Force for use in counter-drone operations, with the equipment intended to support the detection and tracking of uncrewed aerial systems on deployed operations.
The delivery follows what Saab described as an urgent operational requirement from the RAF and builds on previous work between the company and the service on counter-UAS capability. Saab said the radars have now become part of the RAF’s wider counter-drone architecture, supporting the detection, tracking and engagement of airborne threats alongside other systems used to protect personnel and facilities.
A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: “As the customer, we have been impressed with how Saab were able to mobilise their global production capacity to rapidly satisfy our Giraffe 1X requirement in support of Counter Drone operations on deployed operations. This equipment is critical in mitigating the risk to life posed by the drone threat. Saab gave delivery quickly and innovatively, working with the MOD team to satisfy this contract.”
Saab said the procurement was driven by an operational requirement and involved cooperation between its UK operations and the company’s wider production network. The company did not give the number of Giraffe 1X systems delivered, the value of the procurement or the precise locations at which the radars will be operated.
The Giraffe 1X is a compact three-dimensional radar designed for short-range surveillance and the detection of small airborne targets. Saab markets the system for roles including counter-UAS, ground-based air defence and battlefield surveillance, with the radar designed to be deployed from fixed positions or integrated onto vehicles and other mobile platforms.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said: “This delivery showcases the dedication and expertise of teams across Saab, from our UK manufacturing operations through to colleagues across the wider business, who worked together to support delivery of this capability. It demonstrates the strength of Saab’s industrial footprint in the UK and our ability to bring together the right resources to support our customers’ requirements. We are proud to provide British and coalition forces with the capabilities they need to carry out their mission and to keep people and society safe.”
Giraffe 1X is the smallest member of Saab’s Giraffe radar family. According to Saab, the system is designed to detect small, low and slow-moving targets while remaining sufficiently compact for rapid deployment. The radar can also contribute tracking data to wider command-and-control and air defence systems rather than operating as a standalone counter-drone weapon.
I can take an inspired guess as to where these units are going….
Question is what effectors are on the other end of them!
Or are we doing the usual British approach of having amazing SitAware but can’t do anything with the data?
Likely pairing with Rapid Sentry abd other EW effectors.
Well, we need something to cue the Skyhammer we bought until CA come up with their Nightstar multistatic radar.
This is all good but don’t they really need to add some bigger systems in the mix now to take on ballistic missiles and other higher altitude threats? CAMM/ER/MR , SAMP/T, Raven, NASAM – too spoilt for choice maybe? Why not co-produce Patriot?
Hopefully there’re multiple RapidSentry’s per each airfield and UK navy ports could do with some deployable coverage.
Still wondering where the systems in Ireland have come from, Saab still aren’t saying they sold any to Ireland.
Numbers?
If no numbers are available how can one judge if RAF Reg CUAS is being expanded to the level required to protect at least some MoB beyond the tiny numbers already in service with 2 CAUS Wing.
I heard a very interesting thing from a Saab press release, that they wanted to move 1X radar production to over 300 per year.
They don’t like giving exact unit orders for different operators but I wouldn’t be shocked if we get over a hundred of them eventually, they’re cheap as shit and really good at what they do.
Thanks.
I understand that this is the radar linked to the Rapid Sentry LMM Fire unit?
Believe we had 11 previously.
Yeah it is, it’s also the radar they’re sticking on XV Patrick Blackett for testing.
We had 11 before so it’s up in the air how many we have now, Saab keeps a quite large inventory of them on hand for immediate transfers so we literally can’t know unless they tell us (the old Sky Sabre fire units and lauchers debacle) or someone asks Pollard in Parliament.
I might make a FOIA request!
Though MoD don’t often give me a straight open answer!