Photo courtesy of Saab Technologies
Saab Technologies from Sweden and defence startup Helsing from Germany announced on Wednesday that they had they had successfully tested a Gripen E warplane flown by an AI agent Centaur in a combat simulation against a human fighter pilot.
As part of Saab’s “Project Beyond” initiative, the AI-driven flights that commenced on May 28 mark a substantial leap forward in military aircraft technology.
It is the first publicly known instance of AI controlling a full-fledged warplane in a beyond visual range (BVR) scenario, rather than a test aircraft or close-quarters combat.
As part of Sweden’s KFS future air combat study, Saab is investigating designs for the next generation of combat jets, which are expected to feature a mix of crewed and uncrewed planes, with the recent AI trial informing this development.
“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,” said Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programmes, from Saab’s Aeronautics Business Area.
The Swedish Defence Material Administration is sponsoring the project in its entirety, which is a key component of the country’s Concept programme for Future Fighter Systems.
According to Saab and Helsing executives, their AI project showcases the need for swift development, rendering the 10- to 15-year timelines of rival projects impractical.
Ahead of the upcoming Paris Airshow, Saab and Helsing revealed details of their groundbreaking trial, which built on months of simulator training that fed the Centaur AI agent the equivalent of 30 years’ worth of experience every week.
Sweden hasn’t finalized its plans for a Gripen successor yet, leaving open the possibility of either continuing with its own fighter jet program or exploring alternative options.
After participating in the UK’s Tempest fighter initiative, Sweden pulled out to concentrate on its own research efforts as the project evolved into a broader collaboration with Japan and Italy.
Europe is also home to the SCAF program, a collaborative fighter jet project between France, Germany, and Spain that’s gaining momentum.