Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • BAE Systems and USAF flight test SABER

Defence

BAE Systems and USAF flight test SABER

BAE Systems and the US Air Force (USAF) have successfully flight tested BAE Systems' advanced Small Adaptive Bank of Electronic Resources (SABER) technology, paving the way for a critical software upgrade to the EC-37B Compass Call, a next-generation electronic warfare aircraft.

Above: SABER is major technological advance for the USAF and its Compass Call weapon system.
Courtesy BAE Systems

Teams from both BAE Systems and the US Air Force conducted tests on 11 flights of an EC-130H from Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The SABER system is a major technological advance – transitioning from hardware to software-based electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) warfare capability for the USAF and its Compass Call weapon system. The system is built on a suite of software defined radios using an open system architecture and will provide the backbone of the EC-37B’s operating system.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“SABER allows flexibility to update systems without significant physical reconfiguration,” said Pam Potter, director of Electronic Attack Solutions at BAE Systems. “It also adapts to new applications as well as revisions to existing applications. It is the technology that will enable the U.S. Air Force to rapidly and proactively respond to emerging enemy threat systems.”

SABER complies with Department of Defense standards to embed protective measures during product design, as well as leverages an open architecture to enable hosting of various government contracted applications.

Additional SABER testing in 2021 will focus on simultaneity of engagement capacity, dynamic resource sharing, rapid integration, and operation of multiple additional applications. Work on SABER is being conducted at BAE Systems’ state-of-the-art facility in Hudson, N.H.
 

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

Defence

Babcock Announces Capability Centre Location in Heart of Plymouth

2 April 2026

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has today confirmed the location for its new Capability Centre in Plymouth - a major milestone in plans to relocate up to 2,000 highly skilled employees into the heart of the city.

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

Defence

Saab secures UK order for Giraffe 1X radar

2 April 2026

Saab UK has received an order from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the compact radar system Giraffe 1X.

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI conducts first TigerShark flights with Auterion

2 April 2026

MGI Engineering Ltd (MGI) has announced the successful first flights of its TigerShark uncrewed deep strike platform, in partnership with Auterion.

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

Defence

Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

2 April 2026

Rolls-Royce Power Systems has secured one of the largest defence contracts in its history, for around 200 new mtu PowerPacks featuring the 10V 890 engine for the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

Defence

UK and France to develop next-gen air-to-air missile

1 April 2026

The United Kingdom and France have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a joint study into the development of a successor to the Meteor missile, one of the world's most advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air weapons.

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

Defence Events

Solar array to be installed at Bassingbourn Barracks

1 April 2026

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working with Custom Solar on behalf of the British Army, held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new solar array at Bassingbourn Barracks.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner