CB90 design and capabilities

The CB90, originally proposed by the Swedish company Saab, was designed to transport a half-platoon of marine infantry (eighteen combatants) to a landing beach and perform surveillance missions. With a full load displacement of 24.5 tonnes, the vessel is equipped with two 900 horsepower Scania diesel engines and two Kamewa water jets, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 40 knots.

Enhanced maneuverability

Its high maneuverability is enhanced by a vertical fin at the stern, enabling tight turns at high speed. The CB90 is armed with 12.7 mm remote-controlled machine guns and the Trackfire system, which includes an infrared thermal sensor, a laser rangefinder, and a CCD camera. It has been adopted by the Swedish and Norwegian forces and is being tested by the French Navy following the cancellation of the Fusilier Marines Boats program.

New CB90 CX version unveiled

On November 2, Saab unveiled a new version of the vessel, the CB90 CX, which is significantly more offensive. The CB90 CX is designed to carry out missions with or without a crew, utilizing the Autonomous Ocean Core technology. It is equipped with more powerful propulsion, featuring two engines each producing 1,100 horsepower.

Multiple configurations and advanced radar

The CB90 CX is available in three configurations: surveillance, anti-surface warfare, and very short-range air defense. It can now be equipped with a Sea Giraffe 1X radar, capable of providing continuous 360-degree surveillance over a distance of 100 km to detect, classify, and track multiple aerial and naval targets simultaneously. This radar complements the Trackfire system's advanced electro-optical sensors and integrated fire control system, allowing for rapid target acquisition, precise tracking, and effective engagement of emerging threats, including drones, in complex maritime environments.

Advanced armament for the CB90 CX

In terms of armament, the CB90 CX has an anti-ship capability with a range exceeding 100 km using MARTE ER missiles supplied by MBDA. These missiles combine advanced guidance and navigation systems with targeting data from external sensors, enabling effective engagement beyond the radar horizon. Additionally, the CB90 CX is equipped with a remote-controlled 30 mm SeaSnake 30 gun produced by Rheinmetall, allowing it to engage low-flying aerial targets, such as drones, loitering munitions, helicopters, as well as landing craft and patrol boats.

Production and deployment status

This system allows for rapid target acquisition, precise tracking, and high-precision engagement, even when the ship is in motion, providing flexible protection against low-altitude threats in complex maritime environments. The CB90 CX has already entered production for the Swedish forces.