Saab continues to develop the core AESA technology and has now successfully completed the first air tests with the new X-band AESA radar. The tests were successfully carried out, collecting data while detecting and tracking objects.
The radar is designed for combat aircraft and can be adapted to a variety of platforms. As Saab previously announced, a version of the new AESA antenna has been sold to a US government customer.
“This is an important step in the development of our new fighter AESA radar. We see great possibilities for the radar, and its modular, adaptable and scalable design means it can also be used for a variety of other applications”, says Anders Carp, Saab's senior vice president and vice president of business area surveillance.
The aircraft that was used during the air test was a Gripen D aircraft, currently offered with Saab's latest Mk4 radar. The new version of the radar can be offered to Gripen C/D operators as an upgrade.
The new AESA radar features GaN, a material that provides lower power consumption and greater heat resistance. This allows for greater bandwidth and greater reliability, availability and efficiency. The new fighter X-band AESA radar will, for example, have better performance against small targets, enhanced electronic countermeasures (ECCM) capability, as well as enhanced capability to more advanced weaponry.
Via- SAAB
