ABU DHABI -- Lockheed Martin, Diehl Defence, and Saab announced the Falcon air defense weapon system as the short and medium-range air defense solution for current and emerging threats.

Falcon integrates Diehl's 40-kilometer (22-NM) range Infra-Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled (IRIS-T) SLM interceptor and vertical launcher, Saab's 360-degree AESA Giraffe 4A radar through Lockheed Martin's flexible SkyKeeper command and control battle manager. The companies say that Falcon's open architecture allows the system to easily integrate into any air operations center.

The system is said to be effective against threats such as unmanned aerial systems carrying lethal payloads, cruise missiles that can attack from any direction, and fixed and rotary winged aircraft capable of delivering ordnance at extended ranges.

"Our international customers are looking for the next generation short and medium range air defense solution. Falcon is threat driven and ready now," said Scott Arnold, Lockheed Martin vice president and deputy for Integrated Air and Missile Defense. "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 maneuverable interceptor fired from a 360-degree 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 Automatic Sense & Warn functionality. Lockheed Martin's SkyKeeper command and control battle manager gives commanders situational awareness with real-time early warning of incoming threats and optimized engagement solutions for critical decision making.

Source: Lockheed Martin