US Navy wants two additional Saab Sea Giraffe radar systems

According to information published by Saab on November 8, 2022, the U.S. Navy’s Shipboard Air Traffic Radar (SATR) AN/SPN-50(V)1 program which is currently in Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) has awarded a modification for two additional Saab radar systems and associated installation support and spare parts.

The modification value for the LRIP lot is approximately USD 30 million and was booked in Q3 2022, with the first radar system delivery scheduled for 2024. Radar manufacturing, delivery, test, and integration will take place at Saab’s Syracuse, New York facilities. These are the 6th and 7th systems delivered on the production contract.

The AN/SPN-50(V)1 radar system, which is one of the U.S. Navy versions of Saab’s Sea Giraffe Agile Multi Beam radar, will function as the primary air traffic control and surveillance radar for manned and unmanned aviation aboard the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious ships.

Delivery of the Navy’s air traffic control and landing capability is overseen by the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office, (PMA 213). In cooperation with Saab, PMA 213 is responsible for the radar system’s acquisition, deployment, and sustainment while in service within the U.S. Navy fleet.

Saab has built a center of radar excellence in Central New York, supporting radars on seven classes of Navy and Coast Guard ships, and also produces a substantial portion of the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar system for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sea Giraffe AMB provides superior overall performance compared to other naval 3D radars in the same class. It provides the most comprehensive Electronic Counter-Countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities currently available, including ultra-low antenna side-lobes.

The radar operates at the C-band and offers outstanding performance in both littoral regions and blue waters with a 360° monitoring, high update rate, and a 1-second target revisit time.