The Royal Navy has awarded Saab a GBP15 million contract for its Sea Giraffe 1X radar, which will be integrated into an autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to provide maritime surveillance and counter-drone capabilities.
The contract covers the supply of several Sea Giraffe 1X radars for integration with Kraken Technology Group’s K3 Scout USV. The capability was recently presented at the commissioning of the Royal Navy’s first Autonomous Squadron, part of its developing Hybrid Fleet.
The system is designed to provide persistent surveillance and early warning against aerial threats in maritime environments, supporting the protection of naval assets, commercial shipping, ports and critical infrastructure. It is intended to operate independently or alongside conventional naval vessels.
The award follows development work and shore- and sea-based trials conducted by Saab UK and Kraken. According to the companies, the experimental system demonstrated the ability to detect, track and classify airborne targets while operating autonomously in maritime conditions.
Under the contract, the capability will undergo further development and integration into Royal Navy operations as part of the UK’s wider effort to combine crewed and uncrewed platforms.
The programme forms part of Project BEEHIVE, through which the Royal Navy is developing payload integration for its uncrewed surface vessels. Captain Adam Ballard, Deputy Commander of the Surface Flotilla, said the K3 and Sea Giraffe 1X combination would provide an air surveillance picture to support the early detection of hostile air tracks for subsequent engagement.
Kraken said the K3 Scout’s modular payload bay allows the vessel to be reconfigured for surveillance, counter-drone or strike missions without modifying the underlying platform.
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Image: Saab
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