Product Spotlight: How the Giraffe 1X Evolved to Dominate an Amphibious Landscape
Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar is an adaptable, portable radar system built to tackle the toughest assignments, no matter where the mission takes you.
Saab’s Giraffe family of radar systems was named after an iconic inhabitant of the African savannah. Like the animal, the Giraffe family of radars incorporates a wide field of view and has highly tuned senses that protect against a wide range of threats.
The Giraffe product family has evolved over the years, and the Giraffe 1X is now amphibious, capable of supporting units on land or sea. It consists of multi-mission surveillance radars that serve as a first and pivotal step in threat mitigation, whether that threat comes by air, land or sea.
The Land-Based Giraffe 1X
As a small, lightweight 3D radar, the Giraffe 1X can be used as a mobile, deployable, or fixed asset that can be integrated into ground and naval platforms. It also can be used as ground-based air defense (GBAD) and coastal air and surface surveillance systems. It is the first of its kind, providing commanders with the ultimate flexible solution.
The land-based Giraffe 1X is a game changer, providing GBAD commanders with:
- Engagement quality target data of fixed and rotary wing air threats
- Drone detection (Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS))
- Counter-Artillery Rocket and Mortar (C-RAM) sense and warn within a single solution
The Giraffe 1X can also be used as a gap filler that complements larger GBAD systems or as a point C-UAS solution that can adapt to utilize cooperative identification systems, helping commanders quickly identify friend from foe.
The system’s small size, weight and input power requirements enable it to operate on the move, along with the rapid emplacement and displacement critical to surviving the modern battlefield. A variety of available configurations, including transport case, active compact radar module or fixed mount, enable the system to match individual operational needs.
“Many claim their systems can do A and B and C and D, but with the Giraffe 1X, it’s true. They are incredibly dynamic. With other products in the industry, operators must switch between modes. They can’t operate multiple functionalities at once. With the Giraffe, you can,” said Kevin McEntee, Saab Ground Based Radar Business Development Director.
The Next Step in Evolution: Naval Giraffe Variations
The Sea Giraffe 1X is the naval variant that can be integrated into almost any ship, combat craft or small boat. The naval variants were developed based on the land-based system and provide additional surface search features to tackle our armed forces' specific challenges while in the littoral and open ocean. The ‘Deployment Set’ configuration is also an option for installation in naval platforms to provide temporary capability to almost any platform with adequate deck space.
“With the Giraffe 1X land and sea products, we’ve developed a radar system framework that is so versatile that we can tailor it to meet our clients’ needs. We can quickly respond to operational requirements, whether they are on land or at sea. This versatility and ability to adapt to changing combat or surveillance capability requirements makes it a potent tool for the U.S. Armed Forces and our allies,” said Dave DePuy, director of program management, Saab Surveillance Radar Systems.
A Single Radar System with Multiple Missions
Giraffe radar systems combine high-tech radar functionality with simple operations and maintenance tasking to deliver a product with low life-cycle costs to clients. Radar is critical to early detection of threats and successful mitigation in both armed forces missions and civilian safety. The Giraffe family provides affordable, multi-mission capability across all environments.
It’s a system built to provide everything troops need for successful radar surveillance – including an ongoing effort to develop and innovate within the product family.
What’s Next?
Saab’s team continues to advance the product line by developing additional naval functionalities to meet emerging threats, working with our customers to help keep people and society safe.
