Defence company Saab introduced its Sea Giraffe 1X naval radar to the U.S. market for the first time at the Maritime Security East Conference in Norfolk, Virginia.
Saab described the Sea Giraffe 1X as a 3D, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar offering simultaneous surface and air surveillance capabilities.
According to Saab, the entire system weighs less than 650 pounds (294 kilograms) in total, which makes it suitable for smaller patrol ships.
Gene Bojarski , Business Development Manager of Naval Programs with Saab Defense and Security USA’s Sensor Systems division, explains: “Sea Giraffe 1X is ideal for the small patrol vessels that are facing a growing role in U.S. national security. Traditionally, smaller patrol ships have only used surface surveillance radar – but as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become more prevalent, these ships must begin to add air surveillance capabilities as well.”
To combat the growing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) threat, Sea Giraffe 1X features Saab’s Enhanced Low, Slow and Small (ELSS) surveillance function. This feature allows the radar system to detect and classify small, low-flying, slow-moving air targets.