HELSINKI, — May 19, 2026 : Swedish defense and security company Saab has introduced the Sirius Compact L24R, a new fixed-panel passive electronic warfare (EW) sensor developed for strategic surveillance and national security missions. The system was unveiled during the AOC EW Europe symposium in Helsinki as part of Saab’s expanding Sirius Compact electronic support measures (ESM) portfolio.
The Sirius Compact L24R is designed to provide persistent wide-area surveillance by detecting, tracking, classifying, and localizing radar emissions from multiple threats, including fighter aircraft, surveillance radars, and surface vessels. Unlike conventional active radar systems that emit signals and reveal their position, the L24R operates passively by intercepting electromagnetic emissions, enabling covert monitoring of the spectrum without transmitting detectable signals.
Strategic Surveillance Role
Saab developed the L24R specifically for fixed-site strategic surveillance applications. The sensor is intended for installation on existing infrastructure such as towers and masts, allowing operators to establish long-duration monitoring coverage across large operational areas.
The company stated that the new sensor extends the Sirius Compact R-ESM portfolio beyond tactical deployments into persistent strategic intelligence and surveillance operations. The system is designed to support national security missions requiring continuous electromagnetic monitoring and early warning capabilities.
“The new Sirius Compact sensor, L24R, is a welcome extension to the existing tactical Sirius Compact R-ESM portfolio, with a sensor built specifically for persistent, fixed-site surveillance, offering wide area strategic coverage,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area.
Technical Specifications
According to Saab, the Sirius Compact L24R provides frequency coverage from 1 to 18 GHz, covering the L-band through Ku-band spectrum commonly used by military radar systems.
The sensor measures 450 mm x 170 mm x 170 mm and weighs approximately 8 kilograms. Saab stated that the system consumes 65 watts of power and operates without requiring external cooling equipment, simplifying deployment and sustainment requirements.
The L24R also supports single-cable integration, reducing installation complexity and enabling rapid deployment in operational environments.
Modular and Scalable Design
Although optimized for fixed installations, Saab stated that the L24R maintains the modular and compact design characteristics of the broader Sirius Compact family. The company noted that the system can also support mobile deployment concepts where required.
Its lightweight structure and scalable architecture allow integration into remote or austere locations where infrastructure access and maintenance capabilities may be limited. Saab stated that the sensor is installation-agnostic and can be integrated into different operational networks and platforms.
Autonomous Operation and Secure Data Handling
A key feature of the Sirius Compact L24R is its autonomous signal-processing capability. The system continuously intercepts and processes electromagnetic emissions to generate situational awareness and intelligence data in real time.
Saab stated that sensitive threat libraries and classified intelligence data are not stored locally on the device itself. Instead, processed information is transmitted directly into command-and-control (C2) systems and distributed defense networks. According to the company, this approach supports cybersecurity protection and enables intelligence sharing across multiple connected platforms.
The passive operational design also supports low-observable surveillance missions by reducing the risk of detection associated with active radar transmissions.
Growing Demand for Passive EW Systems
The launch of the L24R reflects increasing international demand for passive sensing and distributed electronic warfare technologies. Defense and security organizations are investing in systems capable of providing spectrum awareness, maritime surveillance, border monitoring, and early warning without relying solely on large airborne surveillance platforms or active radar networks vulnerable to detection and targeting.
Passive electronic warfare systems are increasingly viewed as critical components of layered defense architectures, particularly in contested electromagnetic environments.
Sirius Compact Family Expansion
The Sirius Compact series includes both radar electronic support measures (R-ESM) and communication electronic support measures (C-ESM) variants designed for tactical and operational use.
Previous Sirius Compact variants, including the L20R, A20R, and A21R, were developed for deployment on drones, ground vehicles, naval vessels, and man-portable configurations. The introduction of the L24R adds a dedicated fixed-site strategic surveillance capability to the existing product line.
Research, development, and manufacturing activities for the Sirius Compact family are conducted across Saab facilities in Sweden and Finland. Earlier this year, Saab expanded its production capacity in Finland by establishing serial production operations for Sirius Compact sensors at a new facility in Tampere in response to growing market demand for compact passive EW systems.
——— End of Article ———
