Breakthrough in AI-Powered Fighter Jets
Saab, the renowned Swedish defense and aerospace company, has marked a new era in military aviation by successfully testing a
Centaur artificial intelligence (AI) agent developed with German startup
Helsing in its advanced Gripen E fighter jet. During a series of landmark combat trials, the AI-piloted warplane engaged in simulated dogfights against a seasoned human pilot, showcasing the rapid progress of autonomous systems in one of the most demanding environments: aerial combat.
Details of the Integration and Testing
- The first three flights with the Centaur AI agent integrated into the Gripen E were completed, with the initial sortie conducted on May 28, 2025. This achievement is a central part of Saab’s “Project Beyond.”[1][5]
- During the tests, the Gripen E aircraft handed over operational control to the Centaur AI, which autonomously executed advanced tactical maneuvers in a beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat scenario and guided the human pilot on when to fire at targets.[1][5]
- The AI agent demonstrated complex decision-making capabilities mid-air, representing one of the most significant leaps in integrating machine learning systems into live fighter operations.[2]
Industry and Military Implications
- The rapid success of embedding AI in the Gripen E underscores how swiftly new software-driven capabilities can be added to platforms that prioritize safety and modularity.[1][5]
- This development heralds a future where AI-augmented and unmanned aerial vehicles may supplement or even surpass traditional piloted fighters in both speed of tactics and adaptability to threats.[3]
- Project Beyond, the collaborative effort between Saab and Helsing, is seen as a major step forward in transitioning military aircraft from manual to high-autonomy operations, especially in contested skies.
Expert Commentary
Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programmes at Saab’s Aeronautics Business Area, emphasized:
"This is an important achievement for Saab, demonstrating our qualitative edge in sophisticated technologies by making AI deliver in the air. 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. We are excited to continue developing and refining how this and other AI agents can be used, while once again showing how our fighters will outperform faster than the opponent can evolve."
[1][5]
What’s Next for AI and Air Combat
- Saab intends to keep refining AI integration with further flight experiments and development of both manned and unmanned platforms.[3]
- These tests are in parallel with ongoing upgrades of the Gripen fleet and research into next-generation stealth and drone technologies.[3]
- The success of these autonomous combat trials could lead to significant changes in air force tactics and procurement in the coming years.
About Saab and Helsing
Saab is a global leader in defense innovation, employing some 25,000 people and focusing on cutting-edge solutions in aeronautics, weapons, sensors, and integrated systems. Helsing is recognized as a leading European
AI defense software company, developing mission-critical AI agents to enhance human-machine teaming in complex environments.[1]
The collaboration between these two companies underlines Europe’s ambitions to lead the next wave of intelligent defense systems.
