Saab, Sweden Unveil Counter-Drone Tech Developed in Just 3 Months

Saab and Sweden have developed and evaluated a counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) in a record 84 days.

In collaboration with the Swedish Air Force, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, and other partners, Saab unveiled the “Loke,” a modular and scalable mobile c-UAS technology.

Loke covers the entire kill chain: detecting and classifying drones with the Giraffe 1X multi-mission radar, interdicting targets with the Trackfire remote weapon station, and utilizing a lightweight command and control system based on the short-range air defense concept.

Its speedy development was made possible “by cleverly repurposing existing products and integrating new features and technologies,” explained Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior VP and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

Given how drones have been shifting the battlefield, as seen in the war between Russia and Ukraine, building capabilities like the Loke c-UAS enables forces to meet evolving aerial threats.

“This is a clear example of how we are building the capabilities required and that we are prepared to deviate from normal processes to meet today’s threats quickly,” Air Force Chief Major General Jonas Wikman said.

Loke Project

The Swedish Armed Force’s Luftstridsskolan (Air Warfare School), Ledningsstridsskolan (Command and Control Warfare School), and the Flygstaben (Air Force Staff), with support from the Markstridsskolan (Ground Warfare School), headed the project.

Additionally, the development of the c-UAS technology involved its future operators from the Norrbotten Air Wing (F21).

Loke is planned for full integration into Swedish Air Force combat units by late 2025.