Aircraft
Saab Upgrades the RBS-70 Air Defense Missile–Again
Saab is marketing a “new generation” version of the RBS 70 short-range surface-to-air missile, which has been in continuous production for nearly 40 years.
An RBS 70 missile leaves its canister en route to a target during a recent live-fire demonstration in Sweden. (Photo: Saab)
An RBS 70 missile leaves its canister en route to a target during a recent live-fire demonstration in Sweden. (Photo: Saab)

Saab is marketing a “new generation” version of the RBS 70 short-range surface-to-air missile, which has been in continuous production for nearly 40 years.

A new, compact high-resolution thermal imaging sight replaces the previous clip-on night sight, thus allowing true round-the-clock operation. There is also a new transmitter for the missile’s laser-beam guidance, which remains “unjammable,” according to Saab. An auto-tracking function has also been added, which should help the operator increase the probability of kill.