Short- and Medium-Range Air Defence for Current and Emerging Threats
At IDEX on 18 February Lockheed Martin, Diehl Defence and Saab announced the FALCON air defence weapon system as the short- and medium-range air defence solution for current and emerging threats.
FALCON integrates Diehl’s 40km-range Infra-Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled (IRIS-T) SLM interceptor and vertical launcher with Saab’s 360° active electronically scanned array (AESA) GIRAFFE 4A radar through Lockheed Martin’s flexible SkyKeeper command and control (C2) battle manager. FALCON’s open architecture allows the system to easily integrate into any air operations centre.
Threats such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) carrying lethal payloads, cruise missiles that can attack from any direction, or fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft capable of delivering ordnance at extended ranges, demand a technologically advanced solution that FALCON delivers.
“Our international customers are looking for the next-generation short- and medium-range air defence solution. FALCON is threat driven and ready now,” commented Lockheed Martin’s Vice President and Deputy for Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Scott Arnold. “FALCON is a great example of working with our customers to identify potential gaps and find rapid response solutions to take on today’s evolving threats.”
The Diehl IRIS-T SLM is a highly maoeuvrable interceptor fired from a 360° vertical launcher, with the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously in all weather conditions. The Saab GIRAFFE 4A AESA radar offers high discrimination capabilities and leverages gallium nitride (GaN) technology to detect and track both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and drones, while simultaneously featuring an automatic sense and warn functionality. Lockheed Martin’s SkyKeeper C2 battle manager gives commanders unparalleled situational awareness, with real-time early warning of incoming threats and optimised engagement solutions for critical decision-making. Together, these elements make the FALCON weapon system the only integrated short- and medium-range missile defence system available in the world with the capabilities required to defeat current and emerging air threats.
