Saab and Helsing have announced the successful completion of three test flights demonstrating the integration of Helsing’s artificial intelligence agent, Centaur, into the Gripen E fighter jet, a significant development in the application of AI to modern air combat. Conducted as part of Saab’s Project Beyond and fully funded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the tests represent a step forward in deploying AI for autonomous and semi-autonomous missions in operational military aircraft.
The first test flight occurred on May 28, with the third on June 3 focusing on Centaur’s performance in dynamic beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat scenarios. During these tests, the AI agent assumed control of the aircraft, executing complex manoeuvres and issuing fire commands in simulated engagements with a human-piloted Gripen D. The trials assessed Centaur’s operational resilience by altering parameters such as engagement distance, speed, and the availability of command-and-control data.
Centaur uses reinforcement learning trained in large-scale simulations to develop tactical decision-making capabilities. According to Saab and Helsing, the AI system rapidly accumulates virtual combat experience and applies it to real-world flight scenarios. The successful integration into the Gripen E, a fighter designed for software-based adaptability, enabled the AI to operate within standard airspace rather than being restricted to experimental testing environments.
The companies stated that the entire process—from scenario design to live testing—was completed in under six months, facilitated by the Gripen E’s modular software architecture. This rapid deployment underscores the potential of AI to deliver immediate enhancements to combat capability without requiring structural changes to the platform.
Project Beyond is intended to explore the future role of AI in air combat, with Centaur at the centre of these efforts. Saab and Helsing will continue flight testing and training of the AI agent throughout the year, with a focus on expanding its capacity for autonomous decision-making and collaborative operations in contested environments.
