Tag Archives: Saab

Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Multipurpose Munition

Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, and Saab, proved the versatility and performance of the Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM), which was fired from multiple launchers during a U.S. Army demonstration.

Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM)
Disposable launcher and Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle score direct hits

The GMM System Capability Demonstration, a joint activity between Saab and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, was funded by the U.S. Army under a U.S. Government Rapid Innovation Funding (RIF) effort aimed at supporting the development of promising technologies that address military capability to meet operational needs. This was a three-year contract that culminated in a live-fire demonstration in November 2020.

«The GMM’s effectiveness and flexibility to fire from multiple launchers provides soldiers an advantage in accuracy and lethality in multi-domain operations», said Tom Laliberty, vice president of Land Warfare & Air Defense, a Raytheon Missiles & Defense business. «We’re closer to delivering this much-needed weapon to ground forces around the globe».

From an enclosure, the GMM, formerly known as the Guided Carl-Gustaf Munition, was fired from both an AT4-derived disposable launcher and the Saab-built Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle, defeating different targets at distances from 1,550 to 2,500 meters/5,085 to 8,202 feet. The live-fire exercise demonstrated the munition’s fully integrated warhead and fuze against multiple targets, as well as its extended range precision and effectiveness from multiple launchers. The targets were triple brick wall, double-reinforced concrete wall, and up-armored vehicle.

«The GMM marks the next step in the evolution of our shoulder-launched systems. It is the most advanced munition yet and will offer greater precision, outstanding performance with pin-point accuracy, and multi-target capability», says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Dynamics business area.

The GMM is the first precision-guided munition for Saab’s Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle, which is fielded in the U.S. and around the world. With the disposable launcher, which is a portable, single-use system, the GMM provides a valuable capability to squad and platoon level troops.

During a U.S. Army demonstration, Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Saab proved the versatility and performance of the Guided Multipurpose Munition, which was fired from multiple launchers

Air, Air Force

Third GlobalEye

Saab delivered the third GlobalEye aircraft to the United Arab Emirates on 20 February 2021.

GlobalEye
Saab Delivers Third GlobalEye

This follows Saab’s previous deliveries of GlobalEye in April and September 2020. The United Arab Emirates has ordered a total of five GlobalEye aircraft.

«Completing three deliveries of a solution as advanced as GlobalEye in less than a year proves Saab’s solid expertise as a provider of high-technology solutions and our focus on meeting our commitments, especially given the current circumstances. By handling the entire process, including sensor development and integration, we are uniquely in control of every critical part of this complex programme», says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

GlobalEye is Saab’s latest airborne early warning and control solution. It provides exceptional air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single platform. GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range Radar and a range of additional advanced sensors with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier.

Navy

Visby Generation 2

Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, (FMV), have signed two agreements concerning the next generation of surface ships and corvettes. A Product Definition Phase for the Mid-Life Upgrades (MLU) of five Visby-class corvettes, as well as a Product Definition Phase for the next generation; Visby Generation 2 corvettes. The collected value of the contracts is 190 MSEK.

Visby Generation 2
Saab Signs Two Contracts for Next Generation Corvettes for Sweden

The contracts include requirements’ analysis and are respectively the start of the modification work of the five corvettes and the acquisition of the Visby Generation 2.

«The contract is a major step forward for Sweden’s surface combat capability, with the upgrade of current corvettes and the creation of the next generation vessels. The Visby corvettes have been pioneers for 20 years, and after Mid-Life Upgrades they will be well equipped for future assignments. The experience and knowledge that the Visby class has gathered over the years will feed into the development of Visby Generation 2», said Lars Tossman, Head of Business Area Kockums.

The Visby Generation 2 is a development of Visby-class version 5 and will be equipped with a modern anti-ship missile system, torpedo system and air defence missile system.

The first Visby-class corvette was launched on June 8, 2000 and today five corvettes are in operational service. The product definition phase regarding Mid-Life Upgrades, aims to make the five ships in the class operationally relevant beyond 2040. In addition to modifying the ships’ existing systems, an air defence missile system will be added as a new capability. The RBS15 anti-ship missile system will be upgraded to the latest version as well as will the torpedo system with the new Saab Lightweight Torpedo.

Air, Air Force

The second GlobalEye

Saab delivers the second GlobalEye Swing Role Surveillance System to the United Arab Emirates on 30 September 2020.

GlobalEye
GlobalEye Early Warning and Control Solution

This follows Saab’s delivery of the first GlobalEye aircraft in April 2020 to the United Arab Emirates, which has ordered three GlobalEye aircraft. The initial contract was signed in late 2015.

«Completing the second GlobalEye delivery in five months is a testament to Saab’s in-house expertise as aircraft manufacturer, sensor provider and large system integrator. I am proud to contribute to the United Arab Emirates’ airborne surveillance capability with GlobalEye, which is the most advanced solution of its kind», says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

GlobalEye is Saab’s new airborne early warning and control solution. It provides air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution. GlobalEye combines Saab’s new Erieye Extended Range Radar and a range of additional advanced sensors with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier.

Navy

Lightweight Torpedo

Saab has together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Swedish Armed Forces conducted the first tests with the Saab Lightweight Torpedo (SLWT) from a corvette and a submarine.

Successful First Surface Ship and Submarine Firings of Saab Lightweight Torpedo

The tests are the first of its kind for the new torpedo and were undertaken during February and March 2020 at sea ranges outside Karlskrona, on Sweden’s east coast in the Baltic Sea. The tests were conducted from a Gotland-class submarine and from a Visby-class corvette. The purpose of the firings was to verify that the torpedo can be safely launched from the vessels, which also included verification of the integration on the vessels as well as SLWT’s target seeker.

«The Saab Lightweight Torpedo will provide the Swedish and Finnish Navy with the ability to deter and if necessary, destroy hostile underwater and surface threats. Having completed these tests successfully is a major milestone in this joint project», says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

The development of the torpedo commenced with an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in 2016, and is to be deployed on Sweden’s submarine fleet and corvettes. In January 2018, the Finnish Navy placed an order for the SLWT, as a part of the Squadron 2000 Mid-Life Upgrade Programme. The Finnish Navy will operate the system on-board the upgraded Hamina-class vessels as well as the new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes of the Squadron 2020 Programme.

The SLWT is unique in the way that it is adapted for difficult littoral underwater conditions such as those found in the Baltic Sea while also being designed for operations in deeper seas. With its state-of-the-art design, it incorporates a fully digital homing system, which offers both fire-and-forget and wire-guided operation to pursue the target. It is a flexible system that can be launched from multiple platforms, including surface ships, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and submarines.

 

Technical specifications

Length 2.85 m/9.35 feet
Diameter 0.4 m/0.13 feet
Weight approximately 340 kg/750 lbs.
Speed 10- to 40+ knots/11.5- to 46+ mph/18.5- to 74+ km/h
Endurance 20+ km/12.4 miles/10.8 NM, 1+ hrs
Depth 300+ m/984+ feet
Homing system active/passive, fully digital sonar
Proximity fuse multi-beam sonar
Propulsion pumpjet (ducted rotor/stator)
Energy lithium-based rechargeable battery
Warhead Insensitive Munitions (IM) compliant, omnidirectional, Plastic Bonded Explosives Materials (PBX)
Communication galvanic wire/optic fibre

 

Successful first firings of Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo

Air

GlobalEye

Saab delivered the first GlobalEye Swing Role Surveillance System aircraft to the United Arab Emirates on 29 April 2020.

Saab delivers the first GlobalEye

The United Arab Emirates has ordered three GlobalEye aircraft, with the initial contract signed in late 2015. In November 2019 the country also announced its intention to complete a contract amendment for the purchase of an additional two systems.

«The delivery of the first GlobalEye is a major milestone for Saab, but also an important step in the history of airborne early warning and control. We have set a new standard for the market and I am proud to say that we have delivered the most advanced airborne surveillance solution in the world to the United Arab Emirates», says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

GlobalEye is Saab’s new airborne early warning and control solution. It provides air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution. GlobalEye combines Saab’s new Erieye Extended Range Radar and a range of additional advanced sensors with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier.

Air Force

T-7A Programme

Saab started assembly production on January 10, 2020 of its section of the T-7A Red Hawk aircraft, the advanced trainer developed and produced together with Boeing for the United States Air Force (USAF).

Saab starts production in support of U.S. Air Force T-7A Red Hawk programme

Saab is responsible for the development and production of the aft fuselage section for the advanced trainer, with seven aft units being produced in Linköping, Sweden for final assembly at Boeing’s U.S. facility in St. Louis, Missouri.

«In little over a year since we signed the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract, we are starting production of our part of the T-7A Red Hawk jet. This achievement is possible due to the great collaboration between Saab and Boeing, and it is an honour to be part of this programme for the United States Air Force», says Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab business area Aeronautics.

The work is being performed in Linkoping, Sweden, after which future production of Saab’s part for the T-7A Red Hawk will be moved to our new U.S. site in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Saab facility in West Lafayette is an important part of Saab’s growth strategy in the United States, creating strong organic capabilities for the development, manufacturing and sales of its products.

Boeing is the designated prime contractor for the T-7A Red Hawk advanced pilot training system acquisition by the U.S. Air Force. Saab and Boeing developed the aircraft with Saab as a risk-sharing partner. Saab received the EMD order from Boeing, on September 18, 2018.

Air Force

Jammer Pod

Saab carried out the first flight tests with its new advanced Electronic Attack Jammer Pod (EAJP) with successful results on 4 November 2019. The pod’s interfaces with the aircraft’s hardware and software as well as cockpit control and monitoring were tested during the flight.

Saab’s New Electronic Attack Jammer Pod in the Air

The purpose of Saab’s new EAJP pod is to protect aircraft against radars by sophisticated jamming functions, thereby blocking the opponent’s ability to attack them. The first flight marks an important step of the pod’s development programme.

Saab is sharpening its electronic attack capabilities and the new advanced pod is an important element of this development. The EAJP is a strong complement to the built-in electronic attack capabilities of the highly advanced on-board electronic warfare system on Saab’s new Gripen E/F fighter. It can also be used on other aircraft types. The pod forms part of Saab’s Arexis family of electronic warfare systems.

«We performed the flight tests with a Gripen fighter and this new pod is an important part of the development of our new electronic attack capability», says Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

Electronic warfare systems are also used for self-protection by passively detecting hostile radar systems and missiles, protecting the aircraft or platform by using active and passive countermeasures. Offensive electronic warfare, also known as electronic attack, involves actively sending jamming signals to disrupt the sensors in the enemy’s air defence systems so they do no longer constitute a threat.

Navy

Combat Boat

The first out of 18 of the all-new CB90 HSM has been delivered to the Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV). A brand new boat, equipped with a lot more than its predecessors: improved speed and maneuverability – as well as attack power and surveillance capabilities.

Meet the new Combat Boat from Saab

With more than 250 sold boats operating worldwide, CB90 has been a success story since the first boat was commissioned. Recently a new model of the proven concept was delivered to FMV; CB90 HSM. The following months another 17 boats will be delivered from Dockstavarvet, part of Saab.

Even though it looks similar to its predecessors on the outside, the inside is vastly modified.

An all-new driveline including an adjusted placement of the engine makes the point of gravity optimized, which in turn makes the boat even more stable, faster and a lot more silent. Combined with new jets run on a higher efficiency the total efficiency is greatly increased – as well as the ergonomics and crew comfort.

«The principles are the same, but with stronger engines everything becomes even more impressive. We’ve managed to overcome the speed demand by several knots», said Andreas Nordstrand, project manager at Dockstavarvet, Saab.

Add to that new combat management system and sensors for surveillance and attack power through the Trackfire system, CB90 HSM is indeed a whole new breed, ready to take on the coasts of Sweden.

 

Trackfire – giving CB90 HSM an edge

The unique configuration of Trackfire provides a Stabilized Independent Line Of Sight (SILOS). As the independently stabilized Sensor Module is decoupled from the weapons axes (and hence isolated from weapon recoil effects), the operator is able to maintain the line of sight on the target, thereby greatly reducing target acquisition times.

The Trackfire system also allows greatly improved surveillance capabilities through IR cameras.

Furthermore, this configuration enables a target to be continuously lased during the engagement sequence; thereby providing a true comprehensive ballistic calculation including 3D target prediction.

«We’re looking at completely new capabilities. While the older versions are very fine boats, they are more like transportation vehicles in comparison to the new model, taking troops from one point to another. With these upgrades we have completely new operational capabilities in terms of surveillance, fire power, tactical awareness and the ability to act when needed», said Fredrik Hyllengren, project manager at FMV.

 

A close cooperation

As in all cases of building vessels for the Swedish Navy, CB90 HSM is a result of a close cooperation between Saab’s Dockstavarvet and FMV, something that Andreas Nordstrand means really brings the best out of us as a supplier.

«The list and level of demands push us to deliver accordingly – as best as we can. I think of it as a win-win situation. The end user is always a part of the process, making sure standards are met, in this case the Naval Warfare Centre and the Amphibious Battalion. This is a good product and the teamwork between all parties involved has been great, everyone has been humble and truly worked together. This is the reason for the successful outcome; a great cooperation», said Fredrik Hyllengren.

 

Specs Combat boat 90 HSM

Displacement
Light 18 tons
Maximum Displacement 24.5 tons
Dimensions
Total length 16.3 meters/53.5 feet
Length hull 14.9 meters/48.9 feet
Beam 3.8 meters/12.5 feet
Draught 0.9 meters/2.9 feet
Speed and range
Maximum speed with maximum load 45 knots/52 mph/83 km/h
Cruise Speed at Sea state 1 or less 38 knots/44 mph/70 km/h
Range at cruise speed 300 NM/345 miles/555 km
Propulsion
Engines 2 × 900 HP/671 kW, Scania Diesel V8
Water jet S32 Mix flow

 

Navy

SIGINT ship

Nauta Shiprepair Yard has completed the next milestone in the construction of the Swedish Signals intelligence (SIGINT) ship HMS Artemis for the Royal Swedish Navy. Outfitting and equipment installation will take place in Nauta Shiprepair Yard, after which the vessel will undergo harbour and sea trials. The ship will then sail to Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona to complete outfitting of special systems.

New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia
New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia

The launching ceremony took place in PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia on April 17 and was attended by representatives of the Polish government, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Saab, as well as representatives of the Royal Swedish Navy, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Swedish National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA), the Embassy of Sweden and invited guests.

The first steel cutting took place in March 2018 followed by the keel-laying only three months later. The new ship is 243 feet/74 metres long with displacement of 2,200 tonnes.

«We are delighted to achieve a significant milestone within the contract for the construction of a signals intelligence ship, which will serve the Royal Swedish Navy», said Gunnar Wieslander, Senior Vice President, Head of Saab Business Area Kockums.

«The launch of the signal intelligence ship is a significant event in the construction process. The vessel is a showcase of the high quality and technical capabilities of the shipyard and our partners», said Adam Potrykus, acting President of the Board of Nauta Shiprepair Yard S.A.

Saab was awarded the contract to design and build the SIGINT ship HMS Artemis, which will replace the Swedish Navy’s existing HMS Orion, by the Swedish Material Defence Administration (FMV) in 2017. Subsequently Saab selected Nauta Shiprepair Yard, part of PGZ Group, to construct, launch and perform the sea trials of the ship.

The cooperation in ship construction between Saab and Nauta Shiprepair Yard is a direct result of the agreement, signed in late 2016, to establish a close partnership between Saab and PGZ in the planning and delivery of naval programmes.

The Swedish Rear Admiral, Jens Nykvist, earlier announced that the new SIGINT ship will be given the name HMS Artemis.