Saab Tests AI Agent Aboard Gripen E in Air-Combat Flight Trials

Saab says it conducted flight trials of an AI agent aboard a Gripen E in beyond-visual-range air-combat scenarios. The company said the agent autonomously controlled the fighter during the trials.

Key details

• Saab developed the agent through its AI Fighter Pilot Academy, which supports simulation, training and evaluation for air-combat tasks.
• The company said simulation training came before evaluation in real flight conditions.
• Saab said Gripen E’s software-defined architecture allowed the company to integrate and flight-test the AI software without a dedicated experimental aircraft.
• Saab plans to develop agents for additional tasks and evaluate them in more flight scenarios.
• Saab described potential future roles that could support pilots or work alongside them on uncrewed aircraft.

Saab says Gripen E’s software-defined architecture allowed it to test the AI software without a dedicated experimental aircraft.

Why it matters

Saab’s account describes a path from simulated air-combat training to evaluation in a crewed fighter. The company says Gripen E’s software-defined architecture supported the integration and flight test, linking the trial to the aircraft’s ability to host software development.