Saab tests AI-controlled Gripen E fighter jet against human pilot in first beyond visual range engagement
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On June 11, 2025, Saab announced that three test flights were conducted as part of Project Beyond, a program integrating the Centaur artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by German company Helsing into a production-standard Gripen E fighter aircraft. The flights occurred between May 28 and June 3 in Swedish civil airspace, marking the first publicly confirmed case of an AI system flying a frontline jet in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Saab and Helsing have stated that the Centaur’s integration into the Gripen E demonstrates how AI can assist, not replace, the human pilot in complex missions. (Picture source: Saab)
The project is entirely funded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and falls within the Swedish Concept program for Future Fighter Systems. Saab and Helsing aim to explore how AI can support air combat operations by embedding the system into the Gripen E’s avionics. These trials involved real-time engagements, including one mission where the AI-controlled Gripen E was pitted against a human-piloted Gripen D in live BVR conditions.
During the first two flights on May 28 and the third on June 3, Helsing’s Centaur AI system controlled the aircraft to execute BVR manoeuvres and cued the human pilot when to fire. The third sortie involved dynamic real-time data integration and used a real Gripen D as an adversary. The team varied starting speeds, distances, and target aspects while disabling command and control (C2) links in some scenarios to test the AI system’s resilience. Saab reported that Centaur was able to operate autonomously while tracking targets with onboard sensors and adjusting manoeuvres accordingly. The trials were performed using Saab’s standard Gripen E platform, which allowed full system integration of the AI system without requiring dedicated test aircraft or restricting operations to military test ranges. Saab underlined that the flights were conducted within civilian airspace, highlighting the aircraft’s compliance with safety protocols during AI operations.
Helsing’s Centaur AI system was trained using reinforcement learning, simulating high-intensity air combat across extensive time scales. According to Antoine Bordes, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Helsing, the version of Centaur used during the June 3 flight had achieved the equivalent of 50 years of pilot experience in only a few hours. The system was trained in simulators by playing against itself across thousands of concurrent iterations. In total, systems have undergone over 500,000 simulated flight hours, developing a range of BVR tactics and discovering non-traditional engagement patterns. Helsing stated that this large-scale AI training was specifically adapted to the requirements of modern air combat, with a focus on reliable manoeuvre execution, target prioritization, and adaptability. These characteristics are being evaluated not only for current platforms like Gripen E but also for future manned and unmanned air systems, including Loyal Wingman-type aircraft and participation in European programs like FCAS and GCAP.
The Gripen E’s avionics architecture was critical to integrating Centaur. Unlike traditional platforms, the aircraft’s design separates safety-critical flight software from mission-specific applications. This separation enabled the AI software to be installed, tested, and modified without affecting the certification of flight-critical systems. Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programmes at Saab Aeronautics, confirmed that project integration began in March 2025, following a formal project launch on January 1, and that the first flight occurred only eight weeks later. Saab emphasizes that the software system was not operating on a separate standalone processor but was embedded directly into the avionics infrastructure, interfacing with sensors, flight control systems, and communication equipment. This allowed the team to update the software rapidly and test changes in the air within short development cycles. Saab described this integration approach as central to Project Beyond’s goal of accelerating capability development without waiting for new aircraft platforms.
Saab Chief Innovation Officer Marcus Wandt flew one of the AI-assisted sorties and described the experience of activating the Centaur system. He reported that the AI behaved predictably and used the full flight envelope without exceeding operational limits or causing disconnects. Wandt observed that in some situations, the system applied creative engagement tactics similar to human pilots, including feinting missile shots before re-engaging. While he confirmed that pilots currently retain a role, he noted that the margin of superiority over AI is narrowing. Wandt stated that the ability of AI systems to process new scenarios rapidly will challenge human adaptability in the future. He added that training pilots to operate with or against AI will require changes in doctrine. Saab and Helsing also noted that their system architecture allows updates to be implemented within days, enabling rapid iteration and operational testing under real flight conditions. This development process contrasts with traditional systems, which often require multi-year schedules to introduce new capabilities.
Project Beyond is embedded within Sweden’s Krigsberedskapens framtida system (KFS) air combat study. The Swedish government is expected to decide by 2031 whether to pursue a new domestically developed fighter, potentially combining manned and unmanned aircraft. Saab had previously been associated with the UK-led Tempest program but has since reduced its participation to focus on national research in autonomy and software-defined combat systems. Project Beyond is considered a proof-of-concept to inform that decision. Future tests planned under Project Beyond may involve new configurations, such as AI-controlled Gripens engaging in coordinated operations against two pilot-only aircraft. Saab and Helsing are currently analyzing flight data from the initial test campaign and plan to refine the Centaur system’s behavior. The companies have not announced timelines for operational integration but confirmed that additional flights will be conducted throughout 2025. These tests will include expanded combat scenarios to evaluate the system’s scalability, reliability, and potential role in future Swedish and European airpower structures.
Saab and Helsing have stated that Centaur’s integration into Gripen E demonstrates how AI can assist, not replace, the human pilot in complex missions. Saab’s Johan Segertoft, who has worked on Gripen’s architecture since the beginning of the E program, explained that the company’s long-term vision is to enable rapid adaptation through continuous software updates. He reiterated that in their design philosophy, software capabilities can outpace hardware generations, making traditional distinctions between fifth- and sixth-generation fighters obsolete. Segertoft argued that integrating third-party AI software into operational aircraft enables faster responsiveness to new threats. Saab maintains that its system is compliant with Western operational norms, where human operators maintain authority over critical combat decisions. The company believes that future deployments of AI systems like Centaur could extend to other mission roles, including reconnaissance, support for electronic warfare, and fully autonomous platforms. Saab confirmed that it is prepared to work with partner nations interested in evaluating or integrating similar capabilities into their own fighter fleets.
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On June 11, 2025, Saab announced that three test flights were conducted as part of Project Beyond, a program integrating the Centaur artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by German company Helsing into a production-standard Gripen E fighter aircraft. The flights occurred between May 28 and June 3 in Swedish civil airspace, marking the first publicly confirmed case of an AI system flying a frontline jet in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Saab and Helsing have stated that the Centaur’s integration into the Gripen E demonstrates how AI can assist, not replace, the human pilot in complex missions. (Picture source: Saab)
The project is entirely funded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and falls within the Swedish Concept program for Future Fighter Systems. Saab and Helsing aim to explore how AI can support air combat operations by embedding the system into the Gripen E’s avionics. These trials involved real-time engagements, including one mission where the AI-controlled Gripen E was pitted against a human-piloted Gripen D in live BVR conditions.
During the first two flights on May 28 and the third on June 3, Helsing’s Centaur AI system controlled the aircraft to execute BVR manoeuvres and cued the human pilot when to fire. The third sortie involved dynamic real-time data integration and used a real Gripen D as an adversary. The team varied starting speeds, distances, and target aspects while disabling command and control (C2) links in some scenarios to test the AI system’s resilience. Saab reported that Centaur was able to operate autonomously while tracking targets with onboard sensors and adjusting manoeuvres accordingly. The trials were performed using Saab’s standard Gripen E platform, which allowed full system integration of the AI system without requiring dedicated test aircraft or restricting operations to military test ranges. Saab underlined that the flights were conducted within civilian airspace, highlighting the aircraft’s compliance with safety protocols during AI operations.
Helsing’s Centaur AI system was trained using reinforcement learning, simulating high-intensity air combat across extensive time scales. According to Antoine Bordes, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Helsing, the version of Centaur used during the June 3 flight had achieved the equivalent of 50 years of pilot experience in only a few hours. The system was trained in simulators by playing against itself across thousands of concurrent iterations. In total, systems have undergone over 500,000 simulated flight hours, developing a range of BVR tactics and discovering non-traditional engagement patterns. Helsing stated that this large-scale AI training was specifically adapted to the requirements of modern air combat, with a focus on reliable manoeuvre execution, target prioritization, and adaptability. These characteristics are being evaluated not only for current platforms like Gripen E but also for future manned and unmanned air systems, including Loyal Wingman-type aircraft and participation in European programs like FCAS and GCAP.
The Gripen E’s avionics architecture was critical to integrating Centaur. Unlike traditional platforms, the aircraft’s design separates safety-critical flight software from mission-specific applications. This separation enabled the AI software to be installed, tested, and modified without affecting the certification of flight-critical systems. Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programmes at Saab Aeronautics, confirmed that project integration began in March 2025, following a formal project launch on January 1, and that the first flight occurred only eight weeks later. Saab emphasizes that the software system was not operating on a separate standalone processor but was embedded directly into the avionics infrastructure, interfacing with sensors, flight control systems, and communication equipment. This allowed the team to update the software rapidly and test changes in the air within short development cycles. Saab described this integration approach as central to Project Beyond’s goal of accelerating capability development without waiting for new aircraft platforms.
Saab Chief Innovation Officer Marcus Wandt flew one of the AI-assisted sorties and described the experience of activating the Centaur system. He reported that the AI behaved predictably and used the full flight envelope without exceeding operational limits or causing disconnects. Wandt observed that in some situations, the system applied creative engagement tactics similar to human pilots, including feinting missile shots before re-engaging. While he confirmed that pilots currently retain a role, he noted that the margin of superiority over AI is narrowing. Wandt stated that the ability of AI systems to process new scenarios rapidly will challenge human adaptability in the future. He added that training pilots to operate with or against AI will require changes in doctrine. Saab and Helsing also noted that their system architecture allows updates to be implemented within days, enabling rapid iteration and operational testing under real flight conditions. This development process contrasts with traditional systems, which often require multi-year schedules to introduce new capabilities.
Project Beyond is embedded within Sweden’s Krigsberedskapens framtida system (KFS) air combat study. The Swedish government is expected to decide by 2031 whether to pursue a new domestically developed fighter, potentially combining manned and unmanned aircraft. Saab had previously been associated with the UK-led Tempest program but has since reduced its participation to focus on national research in autonomy and software-defined combat systems. Project Beyond is considered a proof-of-concept to inform that decision. Future tests planned under Project Beyond may involve new configurations, such as AI-controlled Gripens engaging in coordinated operations against two pilot-only aircraft. Saab and Helsing are currently analyzing flight data from the initial test campaign and plan to refine the Centaur system’s behavior. The companies have not announced timelines for operational integration but confirmed that additional flights will be conducted throughout 2025. These tests will include expanded combat scenarios to evaluate the system’s scalability, reliability, and potential role in future Swedish and European airpower structures.
Saab and Helsing have stated that Centaur’s integration into Gripen E demonstrates how AI can assist, not replace, the human pilot in complex missions. Saab’s Johan Segertoft, who has worked on Gripen’s architecture since the beginning of the E program, explained that the company’s long-term vision is to enable rapid adaptation through continuous software updates. He reiterated that in their design philosophy, software capabilities can outpace hardware generations, making traditional distinctions between fifth- and sixth-generation fighters obsolete. Segertoft argued that integrating third-party AI software into operational aircraft enables faster responsiveness to new threats. Saab maintains that its system is compliant with Western operational norms, where human operators maintain authority over critical combat decisions. The company believes that future deployments of AI systems like Centaur could extend to other mission roles, including reconnaissance, support for electronic warfare, and fully autonomous platforms. Saab confirmed that it is prepared to work with partner nations interested in evaluating or integrating similar capabilities into their own fighter fleets.