Saab Gripen E Tests AI for Beyond-Visual-Range Air Combat

Saab has begun test flights of its Gripen E fighter equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) agent called Centaur, designed for autonomous beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air combat. The AI agent, developed in collaboration with Germany’s Helsing, can be integrated into the Gripen E without major modifications due to its open-architecture avionics.

The first serial production standard Gripen E was first flown in 2019. Jamie Hunter

Key Developments

• Initial Test Flights: The first three test flights were conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond, funded by Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). The third flight pitted the Centaur-equipped Gripen E against a crewed Gripen D in dynamic BVR scenarios.
• AI Capabilities: Centaur autonomously executed complex maneuvers and provided the pilot with firing cues for simulated air-to-air weapons. The AI agent was supported by an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) asset for additional targeting data.
• Rapid Learning: Antoine Bordes, VP of AI at Helsing, noted that Centaur accumulated "50 years of equivalent pilot years" in just a few hours through virtual training.

A crewed two-seat Gripen D was used as the adversary during the initial Centaur BVR scenarios. Saab

Future Applications

• Expansion to WVR: While BVR combat is the initial focus, Saab plans to explore within-visual-range (WVR) combat scenarios in the future.
• Sweden’s Future Fighter Program: Lessons from Centaur will inform Sweden’s next-generation air combat platform, expected by 2031.
• Export Potential: The AI agent could be attractive to export operators of the Gripen E and F variants.

A Brazilian Air Force Gripen E over Rio de Janeiro. Saab Linus Svensson @Saab

Global Context

Saab’s approach contrasts with the U.S. Air Force’s use of the X-62A VISTA for AI testing. The Gripen E’s flexibility allows for AI integration without requiring specialized test aircraft.