An unidentified kamikaze drone struck a Giraffe-1X radar station operated by the US Armed Forces on the roof of the US embassy in Baghdad.
Status-6 reported the incident.
The US military only recently started acquiring this type of radar. The first order was placed in October 2025, when Saab announced a $103 million contract for the systems.
These radars are portable, lightweight units designed for counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAS) operations, providing air defense against drones and other aerial threats. The radar at the embassy was deployed specifically for such tasks.
Saab’s Giraffe-1X is a lightweight, three-dimensional radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) operating in the X-band. The system offers full 360-degree airspace coverage and specializes in detecting small objects, including drones, while also tracking missile and mortar threats.
Weighing under 150 kilograms, the radar can be mounted on light vehicles or small stationary structures. It can detect air targets up to 75 kilometers away and simultaneously track over 100 objects.
The system’s software distinguishes between birds and drones, reducing false alarms. Designed for rapid deployment in urban environments or challenging terrain, the Giraffe-1X requires minimal power and integrates with modern air defense fire control systems.
