Developing sustainable solutions
An important part of Saab’s work to reduce our environmental impact is through research and development, as well as collaborations, aimed at creating sustainable solutions. Furthermore, by using resources efficiently through the entire lifecycle, we create products with less environmental impact and low lifecycle costs, which differentiates Saab’s products. Below are a few examples of initiatives that Saab is working on that will help contribute to more sustainable solutions.
Aerobahn
Reducing emission through improved airport traffic flow
Saab has a strong footprint on the market within both aviation and maritime traffic management. One way Saab contributes to reduce the carbon footprint within aviation is through our air traffic management systems, present at many of the world’s largest airports. Aerobahn CDM Suite is a solution that improves efficiency in traffic flows, thereby helping to lower fuel consumption on the ground. With Aerobahn, aircraft emissions on the ground are reduced by more than 15%.
SeaEye
A world leader in electric underwater robotics
Reducing environmental impact through robotic technology that is smart, powerful and flexible is important to Saab Seaeye as world leader in electric underwater robotics. Trusted to perform a huge array of vastly different tasks across widely diverse commercial and scientific sectors, as well as defence, Saab Seaeye’s pioneering technology enhances environmental responsibility. This results in cleaner seas, smarter energy usage and greater scientific knowledge. Our fully electric robot technologies cut CO2 emissions by reducing the number and size of support vessels that would otherwise be required, keep seas cleaner by providing leak detection while monitoring pipeline integrity and undertake important scientific research missions in the marine environment.
SUM
Sustainable underground mining
The mine of the future emits zero carbon dioxide, is digitalised and autonomous. As a partner in this, Saab subsidiary Combitech has been a founding member of the Sustainable Underground Mining alliance made up by LKAB, ABB, Epiroc and Sandvik, with the goal of setting a new world standard for sustainable mining at great depths. Together, the five companies will establish a test mine where new technology will be developed and tested in a real mining environment, as well as a virtual test mine. The test bed is being built in LKAB’s underground mines in Kiruna with the help from Combitech and utilising know-how and solutions from Saab & Combitech.
BLADE
Breakthrough Laminar Aircraft Demonstrator in Europe
BLADE is an Airbus project within the European Clean Sky framework to flight test experimental laminar flow wing sections on an A340 aircraft. Flight tests were carried out with final aerodynamic analysis done during 2020. The laminar flow wing section was developed and built by Saab. During the flight test campaign the Saab developed wing performed excellent and showed stable laminar flow on very large part of the wing surface. The use of the Saab wing concept integrated into a new aircraft has a potential to reduce the total aircraft drag by around 9% if applied on the wing and empennage and saving about 5% in fuel consumption.
Flaps and Slats Actuation system
Reducing aircraft drag using electro mechanical actuators & controllers
As part of the Clean Sky research program, our business unit Avionics Systems is currently engaged in developing solutions for reducing fuel consumption and more efficiently monitoring aircrafts systems. On the Boeing 787, for example, Saab’s electric motors are part of a system that adapts the shape of the wing during flight to minimize resistance and fuel consumption, reducing emissions over the life of the aircraft by as much as 10,000 tons of CO2.
Bleed Air Heat Detection
Aircraft weight reduction through fiber optic sensor technology
This product, developed by Saab as part of the Clean Sky research program, is our solution for monitoring the distribution of hot air from the aircraft engines to the cabin space through the use of fiber-optics. This reduces the system’s weight by 80% and the number of parts by 90%, leading to reduced environmental impact of up to 340 tonnes of CO2 during the life of an aircraft. The solution has thereby earnt multiple innovation awards such as Airbus Innovation Award.