The U.S. Army has awarded Saab a contract valued at approximately $46 million for the delivery of its Giraffe 1X radar systems, the company announced this week. The order was booked in the third quarter of 2025, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026.
The Giraffe 1X is a lightweight, multi-mission 3D radar designed to provide air surveillance, air defense and counter-UAS capabilities. Saab said the system’s compact and mobile design allows it to be deployed on a variety of platforms, including ground vehicles and naval vessels, offering operational flexibility for both domestic and expeditionary use.
Comprehensive radar systems have seen growing demand globally as militaries adapt to emerging aerial threats, including small drones and loitering munitions. The U.S. Army’s procurement continues a trend among allied forces seeking compact radar systems that can deliver high-performance situational awareness without the logistical demands of larger platforms.
Erik Smith, head of Saab in the U.S., said the order reflects the increasing need for versatile and rapidly deployable radar systems capable of addressing evolving threats. Saab describes the Giraffe 1X as a combat-proven radar capable of providing continuous, real-time surveillance at extended ranges while maintaining a small footprint suitable for mobile operations.
The system supports force protection, ground-based air defense and sea surface surveillance missions simultaneously, using a rotating active electronically scanned array (AESA) to detect and track both conventional and asymmetric aerial targets.
The latest order marks another milestone in Saab’s expanding defense technology footprint in the United States. The company continues to position the Giraffe radar family as a key contributor to U.S. and allied C-UAS and air defense networks, integrating sensor data across domains to improve threat detection and response.
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Post Image Credit: Saab
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