Saab wins USD48 million order for Giraffe 4A radars for USAFE

An image of Saab's Giraffe 4A radar systems. (Saab)

Saab has expanded to Janes on a USD48 million (SEK525 million) order for Giraffe 4A radars by the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), announced on 9 December.

Saab received the order for multiple radars from BAE Systems Technical Solutions & Services Inc, which is the prime contractor for this award, according to Saab's press release. Deliveries are expected to start in 2027.

Saab's Giraffe 4A radar includes electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCMs) capabilities, Daniel Forsberg, head of Marketing & Sales business unit, Surface Sensor Solutions at Saab, told Janes on 13 December while not disclosing more on the contract. The Giraffe 4A is not affected by weather conditions, with the system designed to operate in different climatic conditions including the Arctic Circle, Forsberg said.

The Giraffe 4A radar's software provides a signalling process, which can identify and track a very large number of targets while also removing the “superfluous information to provide the operator with a clear air picture”, Forsberg said. The radar system is capable of operating in all domains simultaneously by locating, tracking, and identifying aerial targets, while also being able to carry out a “counter-rocket, mortar, and artillery role in identifying incoming fires”. The counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) capability includes tracking projectiles and calculating [the] point of origin and impact to serve as input for counter-battery fire, adjustment of own fire, or warning of incoming fire, according to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Land.