Saab AI Agents Autonomously Control Gripen E in Beyond-Visual-Range Combat Trials
Why It MattersSoftware-defined fighters can now host and test AI agents on an operational aircraft, which points the crewed-uncrewed teaming race toward software integration rather than purpose-built experimental airframes.
Saab has flown its own artificial intelligence agents aboard the Gripen E, with an AI agent autonomously controlling the fighter in beyond-visual-range (BVR) air combat scenarios during flight trials, the company announced on November 3, 2026. The agents were developed through an in-house initiative called the AI Fighter Pilot Academy, which is intended to build, evaluate and improve AI agents for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Saab says the agents use different AI techniques to learn, adapt and collaborate with pilots and other operators.
Saab says the Gripen E's software-defined architecture allows AI software to be integrated and tested aboard an operational fighter without a dedicated experimental aircraft, including in civilian airspace under appropriate flight-test conditions. Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programs at Saab Aeronautics, said the company had developed its own AI agents and demonstrated them in flight, and described future air combat as one in which crewed and uncrewed aircraft operate as coordinated forces. Saab has not disclosed detailed test results, engagement outcomes or the performance measures used to evaluate the agents, so the trials are a flight-test milestone rather than evidence of operational combat readiness.
The announcement is distinct from earlier work: in June 2025, Saab and Helsing announced three successful flights in which Helsing's Centaur AI agent autonomously executed maneuvers in a BVR combat environment and gave firing cues to the pilot under Saab's Project Beyond. Saab also unveiled a full-scale concept of its A3-001 uncrewed combat aircraft in August 2026 and says it intends to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030.
