US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
Giraffe 4A radar. (Photo: Saab)
Saab has launched a new mobile high-mast solution for its Giraffe 4A radar.
Developed with Finnish partner Conlog Oy and produced in Finland and Sweden, the high-mast solution is designed for ‘fast and efficient deployment in order to meet modern threats of low altitude such as cruise missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the battlefield of today’, Saab announced in a 23 November statement.
With a high mast, Giraffe 4A will be able to function in urban environments without line-of-sight disruption from large buildings.
The C-band Giraffe 4A provides 3D air surveillance with 15 stacked beams and the capability to monitor up to 1,000 tracks, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
The AESA radar has an aircraft tracking range of up to 280km, whereas in weapons location mode it can detect targets at 100km range.
Saab is already providing Giraffe 4A radars and upgrades to Swedish Giraffe AMB surface radars under an SEK2.1 billion ($229 million) contract for an integrated sensor and C2 system for use with ground-based air defence.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.