Target System Supports Air & C-UAS Training for British Army in the Falklands

BlueBear, a Saab company, provided key support for the British Army’s 7 Air Defence Group during Exercise KOP SHIELD in the Falklands.

The exercise was conducted to test the reaction and command-and-control of Ground Based Air Defence systems in a demanding operational environment.

Over two days and across five sorties, drone operators from 7 Air Defence Group’s Counter–Uncrewed Aerial System Training Team (7 AD Gp CTT) collaborated with the Resident Sky Sabre Battery. They utilized BlueBear’s target system to simulate a training threat for the British Forces South Atlantic Islands’ Sky Sabre system. The Sky Sabre system incorporates Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar and trained alongside the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons stationed on the Falklands as part of the same exercise.

BlueBear supplied the target system along with a dedicated support team. With this expert guidance, the team successfully enhanced the capabilities of the 7 AD Gp CTT’s operators. They extended the target system’s range out over the South Atlantic, nearly doubling its usual operational range and covering over 500km 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, 7 AD Gp CTT, 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 offered valuable assurance of training in operational environments, demonstrating the effectiveness of BlueBear’s target system in various global settings, now proven across the Arctic, Europe, Middle East, and the South Atlantic.