Saab launches Giraffe 1X radar in US

Saab will address emerging requirements of the manoeuvre force in the US market with its Giraffe 1X multirole land-based radar, the company announced on 3 October.

In doing so Saab will transfer intellectual property associated with the radar to its US subsidiary, Saab Defense and Security USA, in order to facilitate US sourcing of components and address national security and information assurance requirements.

The compact radar system has the capacity to address multiple small threat types, providing short-range air defence and sense-and-warn capabilities against rockets, artillery and mortar, and unmanned aerial systems.

Erik Smith, head of Saab Defense and Security USA, said: 'We have already shown a unique ability to deliver our products into sensitive programmes, such as the AN/SPS-77 on the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship programme. But this move goes one step further. Transferring the intellectual property to a US company and creating a US based development track for this system, will tremendously benefit the US warfighter and taxpayer respectively by accelerating capability to the field and reducing costs and risk.'