GIRAFFE Radar

SAAB SEA GIRAFFE and GIRAFFE Radar

A Giraffe AMB radar on display at Le Bourget Air Show, 2007.
Country of origin	Sweden
Introduced	1977
No. built	450~
Type	Early warning radar
Frequency	C band S Band X band
RPM	60
Range	Between 10 to 470 kilometres (6.2 to 292.0 mi) (dependent on variant)
Altitude	Between 0 to 40,000 metres (0 to 131,234 ft) (dependent on variant)

The Saab (formerly Ericsson Microwave Systems AB) GIRAFFE Radar is a family of land and naval two- or three-dimensional G/H-band (4 to 8 GHz) Passive electronically scanned array radar-based surveillance and air defense command and control systems tailored for operations with medium- and Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) missile or gun systems or for use as gap-fillers in a larger air defense system. The radar gets its name from the distinctive folding mast which when deployed allows the radar to see over nearby terrain features such as trees, extending its effective range against low-level air targets. The first systems were produced in 1977. By 2007, some 450 units of all types are reported as having been delivered.

Military Technical Institute Belgrade purchased a licence for Giraffe 75 and producing a new model with several modifications. Domestic Serbia designation is M85 "Žirafa" on chassis of FAP 2026

Saab Electronic Defence Systems (EDS) on May 2014 unveiled two new classes of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar—three land-based systems (Giraffe 1X, Giraffe 4A and Giraffe 8A) and two naval variants (Sea Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe 4A) in X- and S-band frequencies—to complement its existing surface radar portfolio.

Giraffe is a family of G/H (formerly C-band) frequency agile, low to medium altitude pulse doppler air search radars and combat control centers which can be used in mobile or static short to medium range air defense applications. Giraffe is designed to detect low-altitude, low cross-section aircraft targets in conditions of severe clutter and electronic countermeasures. When equipped as an air-defense command center Giraffe provides an air picture to each firing battery using man portable radio communication.

GIRAFFE uses Agile Multi-Beam (AMB), which includes an integrated Command, control and communication (C₃) system. This enables GIRAFFE to act as the command and control center in an air defense system, it can also be integrated into a sensor net for greater coverage. It is normally housed in a single 6m long shelter mounted on an all-terrain vehicle for high mobility. Additionally the shelter can be augmented with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection and light layers of armor to protect against small arms and fragmentation threats.