Saab delivers new Loke counter-drone system in record time to protect Swedish forces from low-cost threats.

On 17 March 2025, the Swedish Air Force, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Saab, and associated partners completed a full evaluation of the Loke concept, a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) developed and tested in 84 days. This initiative was intended both to address evolving threats posed by unmanned aerial systems and to explore new methods for accelerating defence capability development. The project began as an industrial demonstration and transitioned into a time-limited development cycle to deliver a functional, scalable, and mobile system to Swedish Air Force combat units.
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Within the Swedish Armed Forces, the Loke will complement existing systems used for drone detection and disruption at the individual soldier level, particularly around airbases. (Picture source: Saab)

Unmanned aerial systems have introduced new challenges to air defence due to their low cost, small size, autonomous operation, and ability to fly at low altitude with minimal signatures. These features enable them to evade traditional air defence systems, which are optimized to target manned aircraft and guided missiles. Deploying high-cost air defence assets to intercept low-cost commercial drones is economically unsustainable, which has resulted in an operational capability gap. This gap is addressed by dedicated C-UAS systems, which must adapt rapidly to technological developments in drone design and usage.

The Loke consists of a modular, mobile C-UAS system that spans the full kill chain, from detection and classification to command, control, and engagement. The detection and surveillance component is based on the Giraffe 1X radar. This 3D multi-mission radar performs air surveillance, ground-based air defence (GBAD) target acquisition, and counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) warning functions. It is designed to detect and track low, slow, and small (LSS) aerial targets, including small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and distinguish them from birds with a reduced false alarm rate. Giraffe 1X supports the Drone Tracker capability, which allows for UAV detection and classification.

The Giraffe 1X system weighs under 150 kilograms in total, with a topside weight of 100 kilograms. It can be mounted on mobile platforms such as pickup trucks or trailers, towed, or transported by helicopter. It can also be installed on fixed structures such as buildings or masts. Giraffe 1X performs 360-degree airspace scanning every second and can operate either remotely or locally. It can be integrated into larger GBAD systems or function as a gap-filler or standalone C-UAS system. The radar’s automatic tracking function supports simultaneous surveillance, target acquisition, and early warning without performance degradation. It can also be equipped for sea surface surveillance and full command, control, and communication (C3) capability.

The engagement component of the Loke system uses the Trackfire Remote Weapon Station (RWS). Trackfire is installed on various military platforms, including naval vessels like the Combat Boat 90. It includes a Stabilised Independent Line of Sight (SILOS) system, which decouples the sensor module from the weapon’s axis, allowing the operator to maintain line of sight during weapon recoil and engagement. This setup enables target lasing throughout the engagement process, supporting real-time ballistic calculations with 3D prediction capability.

Trackfire is remotely operated and includes a Director Unit (DU), Sensor Module (SM), Human Machine Interface (HMI), Gunners Display (GD), Fire Control Panel (FCP), Control Handle (CH), and Video Tracker (VT). All primary functions are displayed ergonomically via the HMI, which allows for near-instantaneous surveillance and target acquisition without requiring the operator to look away from the GD. Target and sensor data can be shared across platforms or transmitted within a single vehicle or vessel. Dual command capabilities reduce response time and sensor-to-shooter cycles. The system can be integrated with Battlefield Management Systems (BMS), Combat Management Systems (CMS), Navigation Systems, Defensive Aide Suites (DAS), and Video Distribution Systems (VDS).

The Trackfire can carry and fire a wide range of weapons, including the M2 heavy machine gun (12.7 mm), FN MAG58 (7.62 mm), Mk19 (40x53 mm), and H&K GMG (40x53 mm). (Picture source: Saab)

The operator of the Trackfire can switch between mounted weapons via the HMI. Indirect fire capability is supported when using 40 mm grenade launchers. The system also allows the integration of non-lethal effectors and functions such as smoke grenade launchers, dazzlers, spotlights, loudspeakers, lightweight medium-caliber cannons, and missiles. The Trackfire RWS supports operation from under armor or deck, reducing crew exposure. A reversionary mode is included in case of battlefield damage or malfunction.

The Trackfire’s elevation range is from -20° to +55°, with azimuth rotation of nx360°. Its angular velocity and acceleration are up to 120 degrees per second and 400 degrees per second², respectively. Environmental specifications include operational temperatures from -30°C to +55°C, and compliance with MIL-STD-461F and MIL-STD-810G standards. The director unit weighs approximately 280 kg, excluding weapons and ammunition, with dimensions of approximately 950 mm in height and 1050 mm in width. The IR sensor operates in the 3–5 µm spectral band, and the system also includes a day camera with 40°–2° optical zoom and a Class 1 eye-safe laser rangefinder effective beyond 4000 meters with an accuracy of ±5 meters.

Saab has delivered Trackfire systems to Sweden and Finland for naval and amphibious use, including integration into both new and existing platforms. The Trackfire can engage air targets using a moving-3D mode, continuously measuring range to targets such as incoming UAVs or moving ground targets.

The Loke system is capable of operating while being redeployed between locations, such as moving from one air base to another. It can also be scaled with additional sensors or weapon stations. Within the Swedish Armed Forces, Loke will complement existing systems used for drone detection and disruption at the individual soldier level, particularly around airbases.

The development of Loke was managed jointly by Luftstridsskolan (Air Warfare School), Ledningsstridsskolan (Command and Control Warfare School), and Flygstaben (Air Force Staff), with support from the Markstridsskolan (Ground Warfare School). Personnel from Norrbotten Air Wing, F 21, participated from the beginning to incorporate operational input. The objective is to fully implement the system into combat units by the end of 2025.

Major General Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force, stated that this effort demonstrates the armed forces’ intent to build required capabilities and depart from standard processes when needed to address current threats quickly. He also emphasized the need for continuous development and fast, competent solutions to strengthen the Air Force. Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, commented that the accelerated development was made possible by repurposing existing products and integrating new technologies outside the typical multi-year product cycle.

The Giraffe 1X radar’s automatic tracking function supports simultaneous surveillance, target acquisition, and early warning without performance degradation. (Picture source: Saab)