Saab Partners with Helsing to Integrate Artificial Intelligence into Gripen E Fighter Aircraft
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On November 15, 2024, at the International Fighter Conference (IFC) in Berlin, Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab announced a strategic collaboration with Helsing, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This partnership, called “Project Beyond,” represents a significant step in the evolution of modern fighter aircraft. Its primary goal is to integrate advanced AI capabilities into the JAS 39 Gripen E multirole fighter, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing pilot workload.
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Helsing will integrate advanced AI capabilities into the Gripen E to enhance its operational efficiency, reduce pilot workload, and support autonomous data management during missions (Picture source: Saab)
The Gripen E, also known as the JAS 39 Gripen E/F, is an advanced version of the Gripen family, designed to meet the requirements of modern air forces. This fourth-generation enhanced fighter can perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. Its airframe is optimized for low radar signature, while its modular design ensures quick maintenance and reduced operational costs. With an open architecture, the Gripen E can be rapidly updated with new technologies and weapons, ensuring adaptability to emerging threats.
From a technical perspective, the Gripen E is powered by the General Electric F414G engine, delivering 22,000 pounds of thrust, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of Mach 2 and operate at altitudes above 16,000 meters. It features the AESA Raven ES-05 radar, which provides 360° coverage and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously, even in electronic warfare environments. In terms of armament, the Gripen E supports a wide array of weapons, including air-to-air missiles (Meteor, AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T), air-to-ground munitions (KEPD 350, GBU-49), and anti-ship missiles (RBS-15), as well as a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon for close combat. For defense, it employs an advanced electronic warfare suite with active and passive countermeasures, including infrared decoys and jamming emitters, making it highly versatile and effective in high-intensity conflicts.
The Gripen E builds on the established reputation of the Gripen family, known for its reliable performance and cost-effective operations. Sometimes referred to as the Gripen NG in specific configurations, this latest generation benefits from cutting-edge technologies and a modular design tailored to the needs of contemporary armed forces. By incorporating Helsing’s AI expertise, the Gripen E is set to cross a new technological frontier in fighter aircraft capability.
According to Johan Segertoft, Vice President and Head of the Gripen Business Unit at Saab, the integration of AI is more than a peripheral enhancement. “We’re not talking about a separate computer,” he explained. “We’re embedding AI directly into the heart of the Gripen, leveraging all available data from the aircraft to maximize system performance.” This approach ensures autonomous data management, allowing pilots to focus on mission-critical tasks while the AI handles secondary operational functions.
The collaboration between Saab and Helsing began a year ago, highlighting Saab’s strategic focus on partnerships with innovative companies capable of delivering rapid results. Helsing, recognized for its advances in AI software development, is a natural partner for such an ambitious project. “We’re not waiting for 2040 to see these results. What we are implementing today is already functional,” Segertoft stated, emphasizing the swift development and integration timeline.
One of the notable aspects of Project Beyond is the capacity for continuous system updates. This ensures that the Gripen E remains at the forefront of innovation, adapting to evolving threats and battlefield requirements. The use of AI aligns with global trends in defense, where intelligent systems are increasingly being incorporated into fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
The Gripen E joins other advanced platforms, such as Russia’s Su-57, which employs AI as a virtual co-pilot, and Western initiatives for sixth-generation fighters. These aircraft are poised to redefine air combat standards, transforming fighters into aerial data hubs. Through Project Beyond, the Gripen E leverages existing technology within a proven framework, offering a practical and timely alternative to designing entirely new AI-dedicated platforms.
On September 14, 2023, Saab and Helsing formalized their strategic relationship with Saab acquiring a 5% stake in Helsing for €75 million. This partnership combines Helsing’s expertise in AI software development with Saab’s extensive defense and aerospace portfolio.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing electronic warfare, surveillance, and command-and-control applications across all domains. This partnership demonstrates Saab’s commitment to incorporating advanced technologies to address modern security challenges, while Helsing continues to fulfill its mission of using AI to bolster the defense of democratic values.
In summary, the integration of AI into the Gripen E under the Saab-Helsing partnership highlights the expanding role of technology in the development of military aviation platforms. Project Beyond not only enhances Gripen E’s competitiveness but also establishes a foundation for future collaborations between pilots and intelligent systems to address the most demanding challenges on the battlefield. This initiative, already operational according to its developers, represents a significant step in transforming fighter aircraft into versatile and autonomous tools suited for modern warfare.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On November 15, 2024, at the International Fighter Conference (IFC) in Berlin, Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab announced a strategic collaboration with Helsing, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This partnership, called “Project Beyond,” represents a significant step in the evolution of modern fighter aircraft. Its primary goal is to integrate advanced AI capabilities into the JAS 39 Gripen E multirole fighter, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing pilot workload.
Helsing will integrate advanced AI capabilities into the Gripen E to enhance its operational efficiency, reduce pilot workload, and support autonomous data management during missions (Picture source: Saab)
The Gripen E, also known as the JAS 39 Gripen E/F, is an advanced version of the Gripen family, designed to meet the requirements of modern air forces. This fourth-generation enhanced fighter can perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. Its airframe is optimized for low radar signature, while its modular design ensures quick maintenance and reduced operational costs. With an open architecture, the Gripen E can be rapidly updated with new technologies and weapons, ensuring adaptability to emerging threats.
From a technical perspective, the Gripen E is powered by the General Electric F414G engine, delivering 22,000 pounds of thrust, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of Mach 2 and operate at altitudes above 16,000 meters. It features the AESA Raven ES-05 radar, which provides 360° coverage and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously, even in electronic warfare environments. In terms of armament, the Gripen E supports a wide array of weapons, including air-to-air missiles (Meteor, AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T), air-to-ground munitions (KEPD 350, GBU-49), and anti-ship missiles (RBS-15), as well as a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon for close combat. For defense, it employs an advanced electronic warfare suite with active and passive countermeasures, including infrared decoys and jamming emitters, making it highly versatile and effective in high-intensity conflicts.
The Gripen E builds on the established reputation of the Gripen family, known for its reliable performance and cost-effective operations. Sometimes referred to as the Gripen NG in specific configurations, this latest generation benefits from cutting-edge technologies and a modular design tailored to the needs of contemporary armed forces. By incorporating Helsing’s AI expertise, the Gripen E is set to cross a new technological frontier in fighter aircraft capability.
According to Johan Segertoft, Vice President and Head of the Gripen Business Unit at Saab, the integration of AI is more than a peripheral enhancement. “We’re not talking about a separate computer,” he explained. “We’re embedding AI directly into the heart of the Gripen, leveraging all available data from the aircraft to maximize system performance.” This approach ensures autonomous data management, allowing pilots to focus on mission-critical tasks while the AI handles secondary operational functions.
The collaboration between Saab and Helsing began a year ago, highlighting Saab’s strategic focus on partnerships with innovative companies capable of delivering rapid results. Helsing, recognized for its advances in AI software development, is a natural partner for such an ambitious project. “We’re not waiting for 2040 to see these results. What we are implementing today is already functional,” Segertoft stated, emphasizing the swift development and integration timeline.
One of the notable aspects of Project Beyond is the capacity for continuous system updates. This ensures that the Gripen E remains at the forefront of innovation, adapting to evolving threats and battlefield requirements. The use of AI aligns with global trends in defense, where intelligent systems are increasingly being incorporated into fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
The Gripen E joins other advanced platforms, such as Russia’s Su-57, which employs AI as a virtual co-pilot, and Western initiatives for sixth-generation fighters. These aircraft are poised to redefine air combat standards, transforming fighters into aerial data hubs. Through Project Beyond, the Gripen E leverages existing technology within a proven framework, offering a practical and timely alternative to designing entirely new AI-dedicated platforms.
On September 14, 2023, Saab and Helsing formalized their strategic relationship with Saab acquiring a 5% stake in Helsing for €75 million. This partnership combines Helsing’s expertise in AI software development with Saab’s extensive defense and aerospace portfolio.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing electronic warfare, surveillance, and command-and-control applications across all domains. This partnership demonstrates Saab’s commitment to incorporating advanced technologies to address modern security challenges, while Helsing continues to fulfill its mission of using AI to bolster the defense of democratic values.
In summary, the integration of AI into the Gripen E under the Saab-Helsing partnership highlights the expanding role of technology in the development of military aviation platforms. Project Beyond not only enhances Gripen E’s competitiveness but also establishes a foundation for future collaborations between pilots and intelligent systems to address the most demanding challenges on the battlefield. This initiative, already operational according to its developers, represents a significant step in transforming fighter aircraft into versatile and autonomous tools suited for modern warfare.
