Saab, Helsing progress Project Beyond to equip Gripen E with AI

For Project Beyond, a Gripen E testbed equipped with Helsing AI technology has performed a series of test beyond-visual-range engagements, with more tests to follow. (Saab)

Saab has flown a series of test beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements of its Gripen E combat aircraft equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that is geared at redefining air-to-air combat of the future.

Speaking to Janes and other defence media on 11 June, officials from the joint Saab-Helsing team performing the work under Project Beyond outlined the background behind the efforts to revolutionise aerial combat, and the recent flight-test campaign to validate the concept.

“For Project Beyond, on 28 May a Gripen E took off with the BVR AI agent onboard, developed by Helsing and Saab together. I would say it's a quite big step for air combat worldwide, because with the speed and the way we have developed it and integrated it, there is no comparison in my mind,” Peter Nilsson, Saab Aeronautics' head of Advanced Programs, said.

Project Beyond

First briefed at the IQPC International Fighter Conference (IFC) in November 2024, Project Beyond is geared at exploiting in the near term the advanced capabilities AI has to offer, rather than going through the usual long development cycles that can take years or decades. It is part of a wider drive within Saab to reduce pilot workload through software that can be turned around in days and weeks rather than months and years. In this case, it involves the integration of Helsing's ‘Centaur' AI agent aboard the Gripen E.