From concept to impact - Saab and the Swedish Air Force Deploy "Loke"
In a remarkable feat of collaboration, the Swedish Air Force, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and Saab together with partners have successfully evaluated concept "Loke" in a mere 84 days. This innovative new capability is designed for detecting and countering hostile drones, marking a significant advancement in counter-drone technology.
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) solutions have become increasingly important to military forces due to the rapidly evolving air threat landscape. The proliferation of drone technology has fundamentally changed the battlefield and continues to do so at a rapid pace.
Commercial drones have created a cost-benefit paradox - while traditional air defence systems can neutralise these threats, using expensive military assets against low-cost consumer technology is a unsustainable economic equation. They fly low with minimal signatures, operate in swarms and are autonomous, evading standard detection methods. Conventional air defence systems target traditional aircraft and missiles, not small, slow, unmanned systems. This capability gap requires urgent attention. C-UAS solutions must evolve rapidly to keep pace with evolving drone technology and maintain effective defence capabilities.
UAS countermeasure development timeline
As an experiment, the new C-UAS system development was also tested as a speed run. What began as a defence industry demonstration turned into an intense three-month sprint to deliver a mobile, adaptable system to the Swedish Air Force's combat units. This would normally take a longer time, but this remarkable feat of engineering and collaboration was achieved in just 84 days.
The modular and mobile concept covers the entire kill chain. This comprehensive system includes world-class radars such as the proven Giraffe 1X for detection and classification, and lightweight command and control based on the SHORAD concept. Effectors such as the Trackfire remote weapon station, commonly found on naval vessels such as the Combat Boat 90, complete the solution. This innovative approach delivers cutting-edge technology that is both comprehensive and flexible, providing a decisive advantage in the face of any airborne challenge.
“Since this wasn’t a typical product development cycle spanning several years, we had to think outside the box and take an innovative approach to overcome this challenge. By cleverly repurposing existing products and integrating new features and technologies, brought the concept together at record speed.” Says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
"By cleverly repurposing existing products and integrating new features and technologies, brought the concept together at record speed."
The collaborative spirit and agile approach employed in developing "Loke" serve as a blueprint for future projects. The system is scalable, adaptable to evolving threats, and can be further enhanced with additional sensors and weapon stations. It can even operate during redeployment, providing continuous protection.
"This is a clear example of how we are building the capabilities required and that we are prepared to deviate from normal processes to meet today's threats quickly. We need to constantly evolve and find fast and competent solutions to build a stronger Air Force," said Air Force Chief Major General Jonas Wikman.
Joining forces for success
The project, led by the Luftstridsskolan (Air Warfare School), Ledningsstridsskolan (Command and Control Warfare School) and the Flygstaben (Air Force Staff), with support from the Markstridsskolan (Ground Warfare School), demonstrates the Swedish Armed Forces' dedication to rapid development and deployment.
"This is a clear example of how we are building the capabilities required and that we are prepared to deviate from normal processes to meet today's threats quickly."
Personnel from Norrbotten Air Wing, F 21, have been integrated into the project, ensuring that the perspectives of future operators are incorporated from the outset. With full integration into combat units planned for late 2025, "Loke" will become a vital component in the Swedish Air Force's arsenal against the growing threat of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.
This success story underscores Saab's commitment to partnering with the Swedish Armed Forces to deliver cutting-edge solutions that safeguard national security, preserving air superiority and protecting critical assets.