Over two days and five sorties, drone operators from the 7 Air Defence Group’s Counter–Uncrewed Aerial System Training Team worked with the Resident Sky Sabre Battery. Together they used BlueBear’s target system to act as a training threat for the British Forces South Atlantic Islands’ Sky Sabre system, which includes Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar, training alongside Royal Air Force Typhoons stationed on the Falklands.
BlueBear provided a target system and dedicated support team for the exercise. With expert guidance, the team enhanced the capabilities of the British operators, extending the range of the target system over the South Atlantic to nearly double its usual distance and covering more than 500 kilometres during the trial.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said: “Ex KOP SHIELD was a remarkable demonstration of the capabilities of BlueBear’s target system and the expertise of our support team. Working alongside the British Army’s 7th Air Defence Group, we were able to simulate real-world scenarios to provide accurate training. This exercise underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the operational readiness of our customers.”
FLt Dan Anderson of the 7 Air Defence Group’s Counter–Uncrewed Aerial System Training Team added: “Ex KOP SHIELD showcased the capabilities of Sky Sabre, CTT and the professionalism of our personnel. We appreciate the support provided by Saab UK and the BlueBear target system, whose expertise helped us extend the distances against which we train and gain valuable insights into our systems’ capabilities.”
The exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of BlueBear’s target system in global operational environments, now proven across the Arctic, Europe, Middle East and the South Atlantic. Saab UK, part of Saab AB, employs around 600 people across eight major UK facilities and has operated in the country for more than 30 years, with the UK a key contributor to Saab’s global defence programmes.
