science

Giraffe radar

Giraffe radar is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Giraffe radar rather than just read about it. In short: 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. It is 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.

Key takeaways

Giraffe radar belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Giraffe radar to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Giraffe radar from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

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. It is 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. The Serbian Military Technical Institute purchased a licence for the Giraffe 75 and is producing a new model with several modifications. The radar is installed on the chassis of FAP 2026, and the Serbian designation is M85 "Žirafa".

Saab Electronic Defence Systems (EDS) in 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.

Description 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. The shelter can be augmented with Nuclear, Biological and Chemical protection and light layers of armor to protect against small arms and fragmentation threats.

Variants

Passive electronically-scanned array

Giraffe 40 This is a short-range (40 kilometres (25 mi) instrumented) air defense radar with command and control capability. It employs a folding antenna mast that extends to a height of 13 metres (43 ft) when deployed and can be integrated with an Interrogation Friend or Foe (IFF) capability. Coverage is stated to be from ground level to 10,000 metres (33,000 ft) in altitude. In Swedish service, the radar is designated PS-70 and PS-701. It provides target data to RBS-70 SHORADS missiles and 40 mm Bofors guns. A more powerful version with a 60 kW transmitter is known commercially as Super Giraffe, and is in Swedish service as the PS-707. These radars are no longer marketed.

Giraffe 50AT This is the model used in the Norwegian NALLADS air defense system. It combines the radar and RBS-70 missiles with 20 mm anti-aircraft guns to provide low-level air defense for the combat brigades of the Norwegian army. Mounted on a BV-206 all-terrain tracked vehicle, this version has an instrumented range of 50 km (31 mi). The antenna extends to a height of 7 metres (23 ft). The system can control up to 20 firing units of guns or missiles or a combination of both. The Command and Control system features fully automatic track initiation, target tracking, target identification (IFF), target classification and designation, hovering helicopter detection threat evaluation and handling of "pop-up" targets. It can exchange data with Giraffe 75 or AMB systems as part of a larger network.

Giraffe 75 This features a 13 metres (43 ft) antenna mast and is normally carried on a 6x6 5-ton cross-country truck which carries the radar and command and control shelter. The instrumented range is 75 km (47 mi) and altitude coverage extends from ground-level to 10,000 metres (33,000 ft). An optional add-on unit extends the radar's coastal defense capabilities. In Swedish service the radar is designated PS-90. In the Greek Air Force, the Giraffe 75 is used in combination with Contraves (now Rheinmetall defense) Skyguard/Sparrow fire control systems. 1 Giraffe typically controls 2 Skyguard systems, each with 2 twin 35 mm GDF-005 guns and 2 Sparrow surface-to-air missile launchers.

Giraffe S Optimized as a mobile radar for uncrewed remote-controlled applications as a "gap-filler" in air defense early warning systems concentrating on small, low-flying targets over a long distance. It can be employed as a coastal surveillance radar where targets are small surface vessels and sea-skimming missiles or aircraft. A new antenna extends range coverage to 180 km (110 mi), with altitude coverage from ground level to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). The antenna mast extends to 8 metres (26 ft).

Giraffe AMB Giraffe Agile Multi Beam is a digital antenna array radar. It provides multi-beam 3-Dimensional air coverage at 5.4 to 5.9 GHz. It has instrumented ranges of 30 km (19 mi), 60 km (37 mi) and 100 km (62 mi). The altitude coverage is extended from ground-level to 20,000 metres (66,000 ft) with 70-degree elevation coverage. The data rate is 1-scan per-second. Its maintained pulse density suppresses high cluttering in adverse weather conditions. Ultra-low antenna side-lobes combined with pulse-to-pulse and burst-to-burst frequency agility provides some resistance to jamming. As in previous Giraffe radars, automatic hovering helicopter detection is provided, as is a rocket, artillery and mortar locating function, allowing the radar to detect incoming rounds and give 20 seconds or more of warning before impact. Giraffe AMB is the principal sensor of the Swedish RBS 23 BAMSE air defense missile system, and is available for many other applications. The Giraffe AMB can be delivered with ground surveillance options fitted. A skilled crew can deploy the radar in around 10 minutes and recover it in around 6 minutes. The latest version, the Giraffe AMB D, was unveiled for the first time at Eurosatory 2026; it uses an AESA antenna and has a range of 250 km and is said to be ready for deployment in 3 minutes.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Giraffe radar: 1988, a Republic of Singapore Air Force's Giraffe S 3D radar on display at Paya Lebar Air Base — 1988, a Republic of Singapore Air Force's Giraffe S 3D radar on display at Paya Lebar Air Base

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Giraffe radar

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Giraffe radar claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Giraffe radar before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Giraffe radar ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Giraffe radar

In research: Giraffe radar appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Giraffe radar in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Giraffe radar is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Ground radars, Military electronics of the United States, Military equipment introduced in the 1970s, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Giraffe radar outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Giraffe radar in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Giraffe radar means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Giraffe radar out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Giraffe radar in simple terms?

Why does Giraffe radar matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Giraffe radar?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Giraffe radar.