U.S. Navy awards Saab contract for improvements to electronics, radar systems

DeWITT, N.Y. — The U.S. Navy has selected Saab, Inc.’s DeWitt operation to help make improvements to its electronics and radar systems.

That’s according to the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.).

The contract will allow Saab to transfer technology from Sweden and expand its presence in Central New York, adding more than 20 well-paying jobs, with the possibility of up to 50 high-tech jobs with “future support of the partnership,” Schumer’s office said.

The majority leader secured $15 million in the fiscal year 2021 budget for the Navy to develop near-term digital-radar products to close existing and future capability gaps. As a result of the funding, the Navy selected Saab’s all digital radar technology (ADRT) to “accelerate the adaptation” of this low-cost microelectronic technology, “increasing joint force readiness and effectiveness at responding to threats,” the Democrat’s office said.

Based in DeWitt, Saab Defense and Security USA focuses primarily on the U.S. market and customer base.

“As a Syracuse–based company, we look forward to delivering this next generation technology to the U.S. Navy and continuing to grow our partnership,” Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab, Inc., said. “I want to thank [Senator] Schumer for his leadership on this issue. His continued support of Saab in Central New York is instrumental to our continued success. Our entire Central New York delegation does an outstanding job of helping us create more jobs through new foundational programs like ADRT.”

This announcement comes after Schumer declared in 2021 that he had secured $7 million in the fiscal year 2020 budget supporting Saab’s advanced missile and fire-control system to help make improvements to Navy combat ships, creating 50 high-tech jobs in Central New York.

The senator explained that the Navy and Marine Corps’ electronics systems must continually be updated to accommodate increasing information flow, tracking, and so troops can be better prepared for rapidly emerging threats. This announced funding will allow the Office of Naval Research to conduct an all-digital radar technology, advanced-technology demonstration and test Saab’s system and technology against advanced emerging-threat simulations.

The project will expand Saab’s previous investments in advanced digital and radio-frequency technologies and packaging to build a prototype system in the U.S., Schumer’s office said.

Saab has “invested significantly” to develop its all-digital radar technology, leveraging 5G technology developments. Saab’s work will be facilitated by transferring technology from Sweden to the U.S., “saving taxpayers’ money on costly development programs while supporting” high-tech jobs in Central New York.

The technological improvements to radar from this program would allow the Navy to be “better prepared” for incoming threats and able to process information in a “quicker more sophisticated” manner, according to Schumer.

Saab acquired DeWitt–based Sensis Corp. in 2011 and split the corporation into two units — Saab Defense and Security on Enterprise Parkway and the Saab Sensis air-traffic management unit at 85 Collamer Crossing Pkwy.