Thursday, March 28, 2024

Saab unveils Sirius Compact, a lightweight passive electronic warfare sensor

Saab has unveiled Sirius Compact, a passive, lightweight electronic warfare sensor to meet surveillance challenges across all levels of tactical operations by locating threats while remaining undetected.

Sirius Compact is a compact, flexible solution that provides new capabilities and advantages compared to corresponding solutions that are both larger and more static in terms of grouping. The system can be easily installed on a wide variety of platforms – such as drones, vehicles, vessels, masts, or man-portable applications – or quickly deployed by a single soldier to form scalable detector networks where the sensors can stealthily detect incoming threats by their electronic signatures.

The passive electronic warfare sensor is modular and scalable and can be used as a stand-alone sensor, in a network of sensors, or as a complement to existing sensors. Through silent detection, classification, and prioritization of radar and datalink emissions, the system broadens the sensing horizon and significantly enhances situational awareness. It also provides vital information to improve early warning capabilities, as well as the ability to locate threats without revealing themselves.

Sirius Compact is designed to operate autonomously and allow for assimilation and compilation of signal information providing situational awareness – without the need to store any sensitive data in the sensor. In addition, the Sirius Compact can provide early warning capabilities, typically supporting Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) with accurate target information and efficiency that Saab claims is comparable with larger, static sensors.

The system can be installed in coastal and border surveillance systems, armored fighting vehicles, combat boats, and small quadcopter drones for applications, including airborne surveillance, manned/unmanned teaming, and special operations.

“Operations in the electromagnetic spectrum of a modern battlefield are a constantly evolving challenge. The need to remain undetected while deploying with discretion and agility has been at the forefront of the development of Sirius Compact,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

The development and production of Sirius Compact are shared between Saab in Sweden and Finland, in line with Saab’s strategy to further strengthen its domestic presence in selected markets outside of Sweden.