Saab Gripen E Completes First AI-Controlled Flight Tests

Saab Gripen E Completes First AI-Controlled Flight Tests

Saab has achieved a significant breakthrough in military aviation by successfully completing the first series of artificial intelligence-controlled flight tests with its Gripen E fighter jet. Announced on June 11, 2025, these trials were conducted in collaboration with the German defense AI firm Helsing over the Baltic Sea, marking a pivotal advancement in the integration of AI within operational combat aircraft.

Autonomous Flight Trials and AI Capabilities

During the tests, an AI agent named Centaur took autonomous control of the Gripen E in simulated Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat scenarios. The initial flight took place on May 28, 2025, followed by two additional sorties, including a simulated engagement against a manned Gripen D on June 3. Throughout these flights, a human safety pilot remained onboard, retaining the ability to override the AI’s commands if necessary, ensuring operational safety.

Centaur was responsible for managing the aircraft’s mission systems and making real-time decisions based on sensor inputs. The AI autonomously handled critical functions such as threat tracking, tactical planning, maneuvering, and weapon cueing under BVR conditions. One flight specifically tested Centaur’s resilience by simulating degraded operational environments, including disrupted or denied communications, to evaluate its adaptability under challenging circumstances.

Unlike many AI flight test programs that utilize experimental platforms, Saab embedded the AI software directly into the operational systems of the Gripen E. Peter Nilsson, Head of Advanced Programs at Saab, emphasized the significance of this approach, stating, “This is an important milestone for us, showing that AI integration doesn’t need to wait for future airframes or labs. We’re focused on accelerating capability development through software.”

Rapid Development and Strategic Context

The integration process was notably swift, taking less than six months from scenario design and AI training to actual flight tests. Saab and Helsing attribute this rapid development to the modular and reprogrammable architecture of the Gripen E. Antoine Bordes, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Helsing, highlighted the efficiency of their training process: “Trained extensively in Helsing’s RL factory, Centaur captures decades of virtual air combat experience in a matter of hours, creating operational and scalable AI systems.”

These tests form part of Project Beyond, a Swedish state-funded research initiative under the Future Combat Aviation Concept (Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg, KFS), supported by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The project aims to explore how AI can enhance future air combat capabilities by developing operationally viable AI agents.

Saab’s accomplishment arrives amid growing global interest in advanced fighter technologies. The company remains optimistic about expanding its order backlog, particularly as uncertainties continue to surround the Lockheed Martin F-35 program and potential inventory transfers to Ukraine. Recent international contracts, such as Thailand’s selection of the Gripen E/F for its air defense needs, further underscore the fighter’s increasing appeal in the global market.

Nevertheless, Saab faces challenges in regulatory approvals, integration with existing military systems, and intensified competition from established platforms like the F-35. As the race for next-generation fighter capabilities accelerates, competitors are expected to highlight the strengths of their own offerings in response to Saab’s advancements.

Saab and Helsing will now analyze data from the initial flights and continue refining the Centaur AI, with additional tests scheduled for later in 2025.