Basic Information

Name

Giraffe AMB Swedish Air Surveillance and Ground Based Air Defense

Designation

Giraffe AMB

Alternate Designation

Giraffe AMB

Equipment Type

Air Surveillance and Ground Based Air Defence

Manufacturer

Saab

Date of Introduction

2005

Description

Giraffe AMB delivers key capabilities for short to medium range Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), creating time to secure freedom of maneuver and support air superiority. The combination of a powerful surveillance radar and integrated C3 functionality provide forces with swift understanding of the air situation, enabling immediate and effective responses to changing threats and new tactics in shifting operational conditions. Giraffe AMB monitors the air volume 360° for air targets from supersonic fighters, cruise missiles and helicopters, down to small, slow and low-flying UAVs. It is simultaneously capable to locate and warn for incoming rockets, artillery and mortar rounds. Due to the systems high update rate, 1-second target revisit time, and tracking accuracy Giraffe AMB provides accuracy for real-time control and engagement-quality target data for VSHORAD to MRAD effectors. The Saab Giraffe AMB consist of a radar sensor that operates at the C-band, and a scalable Command, Control & Communication solution housed in a fully self-contained 20ft ISO-container cabin. A hydraulically operated mast elevates the Antenna to 12 m above ground, providing improved low altitude radar coverage and freedom of deployment.

Variants

Giraffe 40 This is a short-range (40 kilometres (25 mi) instrumented) air defense radar with command and control capability. It employs a folding antenna mast that extends to a height of 13 metres (43 ft) when deployed and can be integrated with an Interrogation Friend or Foe (IFF) capability. Coverage is stated to be from ground level to 10,000 metres (33,000 ft) in altitude. In Swedish service the radar is designated PS-70 and PS-701 and provides target data to RBS-70 SHORADS missiles and 40mm Bofors guns. A more powerful version with a 60 kW transmitter is known commercially as Super Giraffe and in Swedish service as PS-707. These radars are no longer marketed.

Giraffe 50AT This is the model used in the Norwegian NALLADS air defense system which combines the radar and RBS-70 missiles with 20 mm anti-aircraft guns to provide low-level air defense for the combat brigades of the Norwegian army. Mounted on a BV-206 all-terrain tracked vehicle this version has an instrumented range of 50 km (31 mi). The antenna extends to a height of 7 metres (23 ft) and the system can control up to 20 firing units of guns or missiles or a combination of both. The Command and Control system features fully automatic track initiation, target tracking, target identification (IFF), target classification and designation, hovering helicopter detection threat evaluation and handling of "pop-up" targets. It can also exchange data with Giraffe 75 or AMB systems as part of a larger network

Giraffe 75 This features a 13 metres (43 ft) antenna mast and is normally carried on a 6x6 5-ton cross-country truck which carries the radar and command and control shelter. Instrumented range is 75 km (47 mi) and altitude coverage extends from ground-level to 10,000 metres (33,000 ft). An optional add-on unit extends the radars coastal defense capabilities. In Swedish service the radar is designated PS-90.[3] In the Greek Air Force Giraffe 75 is used in combination with Contraves (now Rheinmetall defense) Skyguard/Sparrow fire control systems. 1 Giraffe typically controls 2 Skyguard systems each with 2 twin 35 mm GDF-005 guns and 2 Sparrow surface-to-air missile launchers.

Giraffe S Optimized as a mobile radar for un-manned remote-controlled applications as a "gap-filler" in air defense early warning systems concentrating on small, low-flying targets over a long distance. It can also be employed as a coastal surveillance radar where targets are small surface vessels and sea-skimming missiles or aircraft. A new antenna extends range coverage to 180 km (110 mi) with altitude coverage from ground level to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). The antenna mast extends to 8 metres (26 ft).

Giraffe AMB Giraffe Agile Multi Beam is a passive electronically scanned array radar, providing multi-beam 3-Dimensional air coverage at 5.4 to 5.9 GHz with instrumented ranges of 30 km (19 mi), 60 km (37 mi) and 100 km (62 mi), the altitude coverage is extended from ground-level to 20,000 metres (66,000 ft) with 70-degree elevation coverage. Data rate is 1-scan per-second. Its maintained pulse density suppresses high cluttering in adverse weather conditions. Ultra-low antenna side-lobes combined with pulse-to-pulse and burst-to-burst frequency agility provides some resistance to jamming. As in previous Giraffe radars automatic hovering helicopter detection is provided as is a rocket, artillery and mortar locating function, allowing the radar to detect incoming rounds and give 20 seconds or more of warning before impact. Giraffe AMB is the principal sensor of the Swedish RBS 23 BAMSE air defense missile system but is available for many other applications. The Giraffe AMB can be delivered with ground surveillance options fitted. A skilled crew can deploy the radar in around 10 minutes and recover it in around 6 minutes.

ARTE 740 This is a coastal defense radar based on the Giraffe 75 antenna and Giraffe AMB processing system optimized for surface and low-altitude coverage for the Swedish Amphibious Forces (formerly the Coastal Artillery). It is mounted on a MOWAG Piranha 10x10 armored vehicle. 6 systems are in service.

Sea Giraffe AMB Saab's Sea Giraffe AMB is the naval variant of their Giraffe radar with 3D AMB technology. It can detect air and surface targets from the horizon up to a height of 20,000 metres (66,000 ft) at elevations up to 70°, and can simultaneously handle multiple threats approaching from different directions and altitudes, including diving anti-ship missiles. Also, it is specialized for rapidly detecting small, fast moving targets at all altitudes and small surface targets in severe clutter. Sea Giraffe AMB is installed on the Republic of Singapore Navy's upgraded Victory-class corvette and US Navy's Independence class of Littoral Combat Ships, and has the designation AN/SPS 77 V for LCS 2 and 4, and AN/SPS 77 V for LCS 6 and higher. It has also been chosen for the Royal Canadian Navy's new Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships. The radar has an instrumented range of 180 kilometres. Its roles include: *Air surveillance and tracking *Surface surveillance and tracking *Target identification for weapon systems *High-resolution splash spotting

AESA Saab Electronic Defence Systems (EDS) in May 2014 unveiled two new classes of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar—three land-based systems (Giraffe 1X, Giraffe 4A and Giraffe 8A) and two naval variants (Sea Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe 4A).

Giraffe 8A At the top end of the range is the Giraffe 8A, a long-range IEEE S-band (NATO E/F) 3D sensor that can be produced in fixed, transportable and fully mobile configurations. Intended primarily for remote operation as part of an integrated air defence network, Giraffe 8A can also be operated locally. It has an instrumented range of 470 km and an altitude capability of more than 40,000m, bringing true long-range air defence capability to the Saab radar family for the first time. Giraffe 8A produces 15 stacked beams to provide elevation coverage from ground level to more than 65°. It can operate in a continuous 360° scan mode, rotating mechanically at 24rpm, or can be steered electronically across an operator-specified sector of 40° to 100°. More than 1,000 air defence tracks can be maintained, and the system also has anti-ballistic missile capability, in which case more than 100 tracks can be followed. Saab has paid special attention to Giraffe 8A's electronic counter-countermeasures properties. The radar generates very low sidelobes and incorporates sophisticated frequency agility in pulse-to-pulse, burst-to-burst and scan-to-scan regimes. It also switches and staggers pulse repetition frequency and transmits random jitter to further confuse countermeasures. It automatically selects the least jammed frequencies and can transmit intermittently or randomly. The radar offers a passive detection and tracking capability against jammers.

Giraffe 4A While the Giraffe 8A occupies the high end of the family, Saab has introduced new radars in the medium-range category in the form of Giraffe 4A and Sea Giraffe 4A for naval use. Employing similar S-band technology to the larger radar, Giraffe 4A offers true 3D multirole capability, combining the air defence and weapon locating tasks in a single unit. Able to be airlifted in a single C-130 load, Giraffe 4A can be deployed by two people in less than 10 minutes. It can operate as a standalone.

GIRAFFE 1X To complete its new line-up, Saab has introduced two short-range radars, Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe 1X. Working in the IEEE X-band (NATO I-band), Giraffe 1X is intended primarily as a highly mobile radar that can work with very short-range air defence systems in the battlefield or at sea. Weighing less than 300 kg, Giraffe 1X can be mounted on a small vehicle or vessel or in fixed installations such as on a building or a mast. The radar has a sense-and-warn function and can be optionally configured for weapon location.

System

Alternative Designation Giraffe AMB

Type Air Surveillance and Ground Based Air Defence

Manufacturer SAAB

Family Giraffe Radar

In Service INA

Crew INA

Emplacement Time 10 min

Displacement Time 5 min

Maintaining Air Situational Awareness Maintaining air situational awareness Integrated medium- and short-range GBAD systems are supported in multiple simultaneous engagements. The Giraffe AMB can classify and track fixed wing, helicopter, surface, jammer and ballistic targets. The Giraffe AMB medium-range 3D radar surveillance system is an ideal gap filler that provides airspace commanders with the capabilities needed for maintaining continuous and accurate air situational awareness. It is a mobile deployable or ﬁxed asset for air surveillance that can be operated remotely or locally with the ability to provide a networked air picture. Giraffe AMB allows for standard or customised data link integration.

Assuring Ground-Based Air Defence Capabilities By combining a true multi-mission radar system and powerful C3 system Giraffe AMB delivers an accurate air picture with high update rate and highly automated functions for planning, threat evaluation, weapon assignment and target distribution. Everything the commander responsible for GBAD needs for safeguarding people and assets. Giraffe AMB can detect fast missiles and small UAVs even in high-clutter environments and offers ﬂexible integration of weapon systems and tactical data links. The system is fully self-contained with all support systems and C3, highly mobile and deploys in less than 10 minutes.

Proven Multi-Mission Capability *Provides simultaneous air surveillance, GBAD target acquisition and sense & warn capabilities without performance degradation *Combat-proven over more than 150,000 h in full operation *Is a mobile deployable or fixed asset for air surveillance *Can be delivered with surface surveillance add-ons

Detection Capability *Covers the entire search volume every second *Superior small, slow and low target detection capability *Accurate 3D data for all targets in the search volume *All-weather performance with maintained range coverage *Detection of very low- and high-altitude targets

Force and Asset Protection *360˚ detection and tracking of small ballistic objects (shells and rockets) even in severe ground clutter *Prediction of impact location *Automatic warning generated before impact in protected area

C3 *Provides engagement-quality Recognized Air Picture (RAP) target data *Integrated air picture with Link 11B and Link 16 *Automatic threat evaluation and weapon assignment *Able to handle multiple defended assets and various types of firing units *Can be delivered with military Air Traffic Control

Flexibility and Mobility *Deployment in less than 10 minutes and teardown in less than 5 minutes 12 m antenna height offers freedom of deployment. *Operated remotely or locally *Fully self-contained single vehicle configuration *20ft ISO container cabin, C-130 transportable *Offers full mission ﬂexibility through unparalleled *Support services with low and predictable cost of ownership

Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) ILS is an important part of the system delivery and will form the basis for future maintenance. Saab ILS experts have solid experience in tailoring ILS deliveries together with customers worldwide.

Dimensions

Length INA

Width INA

Height INA

Weight, Combat INA

Automotive

Note INA

Radar System

Name Giraffe AMB

Type Stacked beam 3D radar

Antenna Type 3D phased array, digital beam forming

Frequency C (G/H)-band

Elevation Coverage > 70 degrees

Rotation Rate 60 RPM

Search Volume 360° or in a sector

Instrumented Range 120 km

Image Sources

Notes https://alert5.com/2015/09/16/giraffe-amb-radar-can-detect-low-slow-and-small-targets/; https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2015/giraffe-radar-shows-enhanced-anti-uas-skills; https://conworld.fandom.com/wiki/GIRAFFE_AMB_SURVEILLANCE_SYSTEM; https://alert5.com/2015/09/16/giraffe-amb-radar-can-detect-low-slow-and-small-targets/;