Saab has received a $48 million contract from BAE Systems to supply multiple Giraffe 4A radar systems to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The radars will be delivered from both Saab’s U.S. and Swedish facilities starting in 2027.
The Swedish manufacturer said the Giraffe 4A will provide long-range surveillance and air base air defense capabilities for the command. The multifunctional radar incorporates the latest active electronically scanned array technology and provides all-weather protection against air targets, including drones, fighter jets and supersonic missiles.
According to Saab US President and CEO Erik Smith, the system will modernize the U.S. Air Force’s expeditionary combat airfield surveillance operations and enhance sensing capabilities.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe, or USAFE for short, coordinates and supports air and space operations in Europe, Africa and some parts of Asia in alignment with U.S. and NATO objectives. Its assets are also prepared to support maritime operations by performing close air support, in-flight refueling and long-range transport.
Currently, USAFE has 80 geographically separated locations and five main operating bases, including the Royal Air Force Lakenheath and Mildenhall bases in England and the Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany.