iscover
Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab has announced the successful completion of the first three flights integrating artificial intelligence into a Gripen E fighter jet.
Integration of the “Centaur” AI agent, developed by German defence technology company Helsing, is part of “Project Beyond” undertaken by Saab. The project, fully sponsored by Swedish Defence Material Administration, is part of the Swedish Concept program for Future Fighter Systems.
The first flight was conducted in May this year with the Gripen E fighter jet controlled by Centaur to successfully and autonomously execute complex manoeuvres in a beyond visual range (BVR) combat environment. As a precaution, the jet was cued by the pilot to fire.
In a third flight, conducted on 3 June, the artificial intelligence agent was pitted against a real Gripen D aircraft in a series of dynamic BVR scenarios with real-time data integration utilising sensor data to track the target aircraft.
“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 from 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.
“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.
“Within Project Beyond and other programs, we utilise the power of software to rapidly explore and blur the lines between ‘now’ and the future; in software there are no generations, only speed.”
The flights mark a significant advance in bringing AI capabilities to military aircraft and proof that the Gripen E’s unique design allows onboard integration of AI software, according to the company.
During the flights, Centaur was tested on varying starting distances, speeds, aspects and disabling of C2 data.
The team will now analyse the flight data and continue training the AI agent to further enhance its BVR capabilities, with a further series of flights throughout the remainder of the year.
