Saab has completed the first three test flights integrating Helsing’s artificial intelligence agent Centaur into a Gripen E fighter jet.
The flights, conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond program, mark an advance in bringing AI capabilities to military aircraft, said the Swedish aerospace and defense firm.
During the flights, the Gripen E gave control to Centaur, which autonomously executed complex maneuvers in a Beyond Visual Range combat environment and cued the pilot to fire. The first flight was conducted on May 28, with subsequent testing continuing through to June 3.
“This is an important achievement for Saab, demonstrating our qualitative edge in sophisticated technologies by making AI deliver in the air,” said Peter Nilsson, head of advanced programs at Saab’s Aeronautics Business Area. “The swift integration and successful flight testing of Helsing’s AI in a Gripen E exemplifies the accelerated capability gain you can get from our fighter.”
According to Saab, the Gripen E design allows the fighter to fly with AI software onboard and fully integrated without being restricted to military test ranges or requiring experimental aircraft for flight trials. This capability enables more flexible testing and development of AI-powered systems.
The third flight on June 3 focused specifically on Centaur’s performance, pitting it against a Gripen D aircraft in dynamic Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios with real-time integration of sensor data to track the target aircraft.
The team tested Centaur’s adaptability by varying starting distances, speeds, aspects, and disabling command and control data to assess its robustness under different operational conditions.
“Within Project Beyond and other programs, we utilize the power of software to rapidly explore and blur the lines between ‘now’ and the future. In software, there are no generations, only speed,” Nilsson said.
Saab’s and Helsing’s joint Project Beyond team was established using Gripen E to explore how trustworthy AI can be used against future threats. The team will analyze the flight data and continue training the AI agent to enhance its BVR capabilities, with additional flights planned throughout the remainder of the year.
The project is fully sponsored by the Swedish Defence Material Administration and is part of the Swedish Concept program for Future Fighter Systems. The collaboration demonstrates integration of AI decision-making capabilities into operational fighter aircraft systems.
Saab added that the successful flights showcase the Gripen E’s ability to rapidly update software without compromising safety requirements, supporting the development of autonomous combat capabilities for future military aviation applications.
