- Saab has unveiled a new family of CB90 CX combat boats with increased payload capacity, designed for optionally crewed operations.
- The CB90 CX is available in three configurations: ISR with Sea Giraffe 1X radar, anti-ship with MBDA Marte ER missiles, and SHORAD with Rheinmetall SeaSnake 30.
- Sweden is the launch customer for the CB90 CX, with the first boat currently undergoing final acceptance trials ahead of Euronaval 2026.
- The CB90 CX features a larger hull that has increased payload capacity by more than 50% compared to the previous CB90 NG variant.
- The boat is 18 meters long and can reach speeds of over 40 knots, powered by two engines producing 1,100 horsepower each.
- Saab has integrated its Autonomous Ocean Core control system, allowing the CB90 CX to operate both with and without a crew.
Saab's CB90 CX combat boat represents a significant evolution in naval capabilities, designed to meet the demands of modern maritime security. With a length of 18 meters and a width of 4 meters, the boat can reach speeds exceeding 40 knots and has a payload capacity increased by over 50% compared to its predecessor, the CB90 NG.1234567
The CB90 CX is available in three configurations: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-ship warfare, and short-range air defense (SHORAD). The ISR variant is equipped with the Saab Sea Giraffe 1X radar, capable of detecting targets over 100 km. The anti-ship configuration can be armed with MBDA MARTE ER missiles, while the SHORAD variant features a Rheinmetall SeaSnake 30 weapon station.
Saab's Autonomous Ocean Core allows the CB90 CX to operate with or without a crew, enhancing operational flexibility. Anders Hellman, head of Saab's Docksta unit, emphasized the need for naval forces to “see more, move faster, and distribute their capabilities across more platforms.” Sweden is the first customer, with the initial boat undergoing final acceptance trials.
The CB90 CX is built to the DNV HSLC R2 class notation, enabling operations up to 100 nautical miles from a safe haven in summer and 50 nautical miles in winter. This innovative platform is set to redefine naval operations in a rapidly changing security environment.
“The CB90 CX is built on a common Combat Core architecture, allowing payloads like the Sea Giraffe 1X radar to detect targets over 100 km away. Sweden is the launch customer, with the first boat undergoing acceptance trials and more than 300 CB90s already in service with nine navies.”
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