A world-class fighter needs world-class radar. The PS-05/A was developed for the JAS 39 Gripen programme and has been in service since 1992. Gripen is the first fourth-generation multi-role/swing-role aircraft in service in the world, and the PS-05/A radar provides the situational awareness needed for weapon/missile delivery during cooperative and multi-role/swing-role combat missions.

Multi-role applications
Air defence capability from BVR to WVR. Air-to-surface modes for mapping, ground attack, maritime operation and reconnaissance.

Integration and installation for multiple platforms
Compact, lightweight and modular to fit into any airborne platform.

The radar is designed to send target position data to the onboard weapon and missile system for cueing and interception guidance. The multi-function radar gives the airborne system superior capabilities for multi-role missions.

Multi-role applications

• Air-to-air combat, long and short-range: Beyond Visual Range (BVR), Within Visual Range (WVR) and Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM)
• Strike missions over land and sea
• Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions
• Reconnaissance, mapping, navigation and surveillance
• Weapons and missiles, using data link for launch and mid-course guidance
• Tactical interoperability, for example using Gripen data link or Link-16
• Dense Electronic Warfare (EW)

Integration and installation for multiple platforms
The PS-05/A is designed to fit into any airborne platform. Both compact and lightweight, this radar system is modular and ideal for integration with standard avionic technology systems.

It can be easily installed on UAVs, UCAVs, MALEs, gunships, carrier/cargo aircraft and in any supersonic combat aircraft. Some of the subsystems are also suitable and cost-effective for integration with combat helicopters and older jet fighters.

Modular and simple to maintain
The PS-05/A radar’s architecture is based on an avionic module concept (BYB-601), where each sub-unit is mechanically and electrically autonomous with simple interfaces to the other sub-units or installations.

Each sub-unit also has an automatic Built-in Test (BIT) system. The typical time needed to replace one of the Gripen’s radar sub-units is just several minutes for example.

System upgrades and qualifications
All main radar functionalities are high-level-language programmed in a powerful parallel computer system for the fast and safe implementation of new functionalities and system optimisations to suit all customer requirements.

All PS-05/A hardware and software systems are Airworthiness qualified according to Swedish airworthiness regulations (RML) and quality-assured to RTCA-178, AQAP110, AQAP150 and ISO 9000:2000 standards and to NATO’s worldwide climate requirements.

New modes and functions will be added to the software according to specific customer needs, for the Swedish Air Force and export customers, during the next 10-20 years.

Saab has a long experience in development of radars for fighter aircraft. PS-05/A for the Gripen aircraft has been in service since 1992. At present, the Gripen with PS-05/A operates in several countries.

Radar functions

Air-to-Air modes

• Long and medium range look-up and look-down detection
• Multiple target Track-While Search
• Short range auto acquisition and tracking
• BVR missile data link
• Non cooperative target recognition (NCTR)
• ECM immunity

Air-to-Surface modes

• Mapping. Real beam and high resolution SAR
• Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI)
• Ground Moving Target Tracking (GMTT)
• Sea surface search and tracking
• Air-to-ground ranging
• ECM immunity
• Weather Mapping mode

Technical data

• General: Pulse Doppler, X band radar, monopulse
• Sub-units: 4 Rack mounted units + antenna unit and waveguide parts.
• Weight: 150 kg
• Antenna (ANT): 60 cm, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) dipoles
• Power Amplifier Unit (PAU). Transmitter:Travelling-Wave Tube (TWT), liquid cooled, peak power >10 kW
• Transmitter Auxilliary Unit (TAU)
• High-Frequency Unit (HFU): pulse compression, state-of-the-art noise figures
• Signal and data processor (SDP): Saab airborne Modular Avionic Computer System (MACS) computer system and parallel multiprocessor cluster
• Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF): 250 hours in airborne operation

As a customer of Saab’s you benefit from a complete life commitment. It is our utmost ambition to support and facilitate your use of our products and services. That is why we are always willing to walk that extra mile to develop a strong and trustful relationship.

Being a customer of ours means that you can rely on Saab’s innovative and technologically advanced state-of-the-art products. But also, it means that you can rely on our dedication and willingness to provide our entire knowledge and know-how for improving your operations. That’s what we call a true commitment.

Through spiral development, Saab has worked very closely with the end customer to really understand and satisfy their needs. Cost-effective software development is performed in a universal product with customer specific adaptations. Radar models are supplied for training as well as for simulation-based acquisition (SBA). Tools for mission planning and evaluation are also available.

Reference customers include the air forces of Sweden, South Africa, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

PS 05/A Presentation (PDF)

PS 05/A Product Folder (PDF)