Saab has received an order from BAE Systems in support of the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) for multiple Giraffe 4A radar systems, the company announced on 9 December 2024.

The contract is valued at approximately USD 48 million (EUR 45.3 million), with deliveries set to start in 2027.

As a multi-function radar system, the Giraffe 4A will provide both long-range surveillance and airbase air defence coverage in a highly mobile package for USAFE.

“Giraffe 4A is a multi-function radar that provides users a range of surveillance capabilities in support of comprehensive air defence,” Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the United States, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This system will modernise the US Air Force’s expeditionary combat airfield surveillance operations and strengthen sensing capabilities, addressing a critical need overseas.”

The Giraffe 4A is a digital multi-channel system featuring the latest active electronically scanned-array (AESA) technology and offering an instrumented range of up to 400 km in the air surveillance role. In a ground-based air defence mode it provides engagement-quality target data for very-short- to medium-range air defence effectors owing to its very high plot accuracy and update rate.

The Giraffe 4A systems for USAF will be delivered by Saab from both the United States and Sweden.

BAE Systems Technical Solutions & Services Inc is the prime contractor for this award in support of USAFE.

As a multi-function radar, the Giraffe 4A offers an instrumented range of up to 400 km in the air surveillance role while also providing engagement-quality target data for very-short- to medium-range air defence effectors. (Photo: Saab)