Giraffe 4A – not just another radar

Giraffe 4A is not just another radar. It is a truly multifunctional, multi-mission, long-range sensor solution. It combines the battle-proven designs from the Arthur weapon locating system and the Giraffe AMB surveillance system with an all-new long-range radar sensor, based on AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology. A combination that gives Giraffe 4A the ability to provide all-weather coverage against air targets – anything from fast moving fighters and supersonic missiles to drones and other unmanned vehicles as well as rockets, artillery and mortar shells (RAM targets). The system can also detect and track jammer strobes. All this is done simultaneously, in parallel processing, minimizing the risk of information and data interference or compromising the performance in any way.

The multifunctional advantage

The clearest advantage is also the most obvious one. Instead of having to manage, operate and co-ordinate several different sensor systems, Giraffe 4A provides the combined functionality in a single solution with the ability to collect and process vast amounts of data and deliver it to where it is needed most and create the greatest possible effect.

Built-in flexibility

The multifunctional capability of the Giraffe 4A means that during the course of a mission you, can solve several tasks at the same time – Air Surveillance, Ground Based Air Defence and Weapon Location – or focus on a specific task. For example, in the case of air surveillance, the Giraffe 4A will still be able to detect RAM threats and provide target data of a quality that is good enough to engage anti-aircraft weapons.

Giraffe 4A can be installed either as a fixed installation or in a mobile configuration, both of which can be controlled remotely or locally. The mobile configuration is self-contained and ideal as a mobile deployable asset which supports the user where it is needed.

Air Surveillance – armed with awareness

In the air surveillance role, Giraffe 4A provides the ability to detect and track a high number of objects simultaneously at long ranges and at the same time support multiple simultaneous engagements.

GBAD – saving lives, ensuring capabilities

By supporting GBAD units with situational awareness and engagement-quality target data for VSHORAD to MRAD effectors, due to a very high plot accuracy and update rate, Giraffe 4A enables an instant and effective response to threats and shifting operational conditions.

Weapon Location – turning artillery threats into targets

In the weapon-locating role, Giraffe 4A can handle massive artillery scenarios, rapidly track and classify ballistic projectiles, calculate the point of origin and point of impact for counter-battery fire or adjustment of own fire. In a few seconds, the hostile artillery will go from being a threat to becoming a target. It can also support own troops with warnings of incoming fire.

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Full potential usage

A basic requirement for any sensor system is the ability to see the potential threat at a time distance that allows room for intervention. This usually requires some excess capacity in the system when it comes to sensor performance. A good rule of thumb, making it possible to use the full potential of a ground-based air defence missile system, is to detect a relevant target at 2.5 times the maximum missile range. Taking detection capability into account, one Giraffe 4A system is well suited to support missile systems with an efficient range over 60 km. Several co-operating sensors will of course increase that range significantly.

The quality of the data determines the quality of the response

A traditional radar, regardless of whether it works at short, medium or long range, emits energy in a rotating motion that is reflected on any objects moving around in the selected area. This is also partly how the Giraffe 4A works. In rotating mode, Giraffe 4A gives you a very high accuracy and update rate with a target revisit time of little more than one second combined with 360° monitoring of the air volume up to 70°. The difference between Giraffe 4A and many other systems is that with a known threat direction, the system can operate in a non-rotating sector mode with either fast or slow scan speed, increase either the actual detection range, or be more agile in tracking highly manoeuvrable and fast targets. Engagement quality data, as it is called, means that the data provided is truly high level and qualified for target engagement with all modern homing missiles.

Easy to deploy and operate

In modern conflicts, mobility and transportability are crucial. To meet these requirements, the Giraffe 4A is designed to be deployed by two conscripts in less than 10 minutes and taken down in less than 5 minutes. The sensor can also be airlifted by, for instance, a single C-130 using standard equipment for container handling. With larger aircraft, such as the IL-76, C-17 or A400M, the system can be transported as drive-on/drive-off cargo.

Designed with redundancy in mind

Giraffe 4A is based on the latest Active Electrically Scanned Array (AESA), using powerful and compact Gallium Nitride (GaN) components to provide state-of-the-art performance, reliability and minimum Life Cycle Cost (LCC). To secure the fulfilment of all operations, the system design includes redundancy on critical parts to secure full performance and customer capability until planned maintenance. In addition, a redundant design such as the AESA concept makes the time between critical failure extremely long; >2,500 hours. Moreover, the typical repair time is less than 45 minutes.

Future-proofed is sustainable

Saab’s philosophy regarding sensor development is based on a spiral development concept. This means that there is a continuous, step-by-step development that will benefit the user continuously during the entire lifetime of the system. Today, much of the development work that takes place in the software and the design of the Giraffe 4A facilitates further upgrades to make sure the sensor will continue to support its users with the latest capabilities to meet evolving threats.

Smartness is our reality

Multifunctional solutions are nothing new for Saab. We always try to do things cleverer to provide maximum effect for our customer in the smartest possible way. For instance, when developing the Gripen fighter aircraft it was designed to combine fighter, attack and reconnaissance capabilities in one platform. The same applies to GlobalEye, Saab's Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) solution, that provides multi-domain surveillance capabilities as well as the ability to perform multi-mission operations and, as previously stated, also within our surface-based sensors. At Saab, smartness is in our DNA and part our reality.

Giraffe 4A – part of a family of sensors

Giraffe is a family of sensor systems developed to provide a higher level of awareness, arming your forces with the advantage of knowing in advance and being able to act first. The name comes from some of the systems having a distinctive folding mast that enables the antenna to tower over obstacles like a giraffe and provide improved capabilities towards low flying targets.  A feature that is very useful in many contexts – anything from critical conflict scenarios to the monitoring of major sporting events and critical infrastructure.

Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face – the naval version

AESA technology has many advantages, one of which is the ability to use fixed panels, which works particularly well for some naval installations. Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face, as the fixed panel version is called, provides the same multifunctional capabilities as the Giraffe 4A. Today, both versions of the Giraffe 4A sensor are contracted and on their way to provide capability growth to a number of customers. For instance, the Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face is, together with the Sea Giraffe 1X, part of a multi-sensor solution for the Finnish Navy's new corvettes.