The demonstration integrated Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar with Aquark’s AQlock quantum technology and was conducted with the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office. Saab said it is believed to be the first demonstration of a distributed high-performance military radar network maintaining a coherent operational picture using independent quantum timing sources.
During the trial, multiple Giraffe 1X radars tracked live targets while operating with separate AQlock timing sources. The team then introduced controlled timing errors to simulate Global Navigation Satellite System spoofing and denial and assess the effect on the combined radar picture.
The radars continued to generate a single air picture without GNSS timing and remained operational under representative spoofing and denial conditions, according to Saab. The test also showed predictable performance degradation during timing disruption and rapid recovery after synchronisation was restored.
Distributed radar networks depend on precise timing to combine tracking data from multiple sensors into an accurate view of the airspace. GNSS services such as GPS typically provide that reference, but their signals can be jammed, spoofed or disrupted in contested operating environments.
Quantum timing offers an alternative by maintaining accurate time for longer periods without relying on GPS or another external timing signal. Applied to a radar network, the technology is intended to preserve sensor synchronisation and the combined operational picture when satellite-based timing cannot be accessed or trusted.
“This trial is a great example of how collaboration can accelerate innovation. By combining quantum timing technology with Saab’s advanced Giraffe 1X radar system, we have demonstrated a practical capability that could help customers continue to operate effectively when it matters most,” said Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK.
The trial also involved QinetiQ alongside Saab UK, Aquark Technologies and the Royal Navy. The work is focused on developing radar and timing capabilities for military operations in environments where access to satellite-based navigation and timing services may be disrupted or compromised.
