Saab unveils its AI agents for future fighter systems
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a cornerstone technology in the evolution of future fighter aircraft. Saab, leveraging the expertise within its Advanced Programs business unit, has unveiled a sophisticated array of AI agents that significantly enhance its capabilities as a premier fighter manufacturer. These AI agents are designed to master tactical decision-making in complex operational environments by employing diverse AI techniques.
The innovative agents are able to assist pilots within the cockpit or function autonomously alongside them from unmanned air platforms. Saab has developed the agents, along with their training environments and supporting tools, entirely in-house, ensuring complete oversight on their operational methods, verification processes, and continual evolution.
“We have not only built our AI agents but have also conducted flight trials featuring these systems. This achievement exemplifies our ability to integrate AI agents within operational fighter aircraft. The landscape of future air combat will be shaped not solely by individual platforms, but by interconnected fleets of manned and unmanned systems working in unison. Our ownership of the complete technological ecosystem positions us well for this future,” stated Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programs at Saab’s Aeronautics division.
A pivotal element of this initiative is Saab’s AI Fighter Pilot Academy, which simultaneously develops these agents and establishes the necessary infrastructure for their creation, training, and evaluation across a plethora of scenarios and platforms. The integration of the Gripen E, characterized by its innovative architecture, facilitates the swift assimilation and testing of new technologies, including in civilian airspace, allowing Saab to manage the entire development process internally, from simulation to flight testing.
Bolstering Saab’s capacity to scale its endeavors is Sferical AI, a Swedish initiative dedicated to providing secure, large-scale computing resources for advanced AI development, with Saab being a founding partner.
Within the confines of the AI Fighter Pilot Academy, agents undergo thorough training in simulated environments that encompass various air combat capabilities. By amassing millions of virtual flight hours across a multitude of operational scenarios, these agents can experiment with tactics and decision-making processes well beyond the experiences of an individual pilot’s lifetime. Continuous assessment of their actions against established objectives enables the agents to adapt and enhance their performance significantly. One such validated capability is Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat, successfully tested under genuine flight conditions. The infrastructure has been meticulously designed for adaptability, allowing for the inclusion of new capabilities, scenarios, and platforms without necessitating a complete overhaul of the development framework.
To ensure the reliability of AI in fighter aircraft, safety and control mechanisms are woven into the development process from its inception, rather than being retrofitted later.
As Saab pushes the boundaries of its AI agents’ capabilities, flight trials are expanding to encompass a wider variety of scenarios. The groundwork laid within the AI Fighter Pilot Academy is essential for the development of unmanned platforms. The future of air combat is poised to thrive on the teamwork of crewed and uncrewed systems, with sovereign verified AI emerging as a crucial asset in this evolving battlefield. With a rich legacy spanning multiple generations of fighter aircraft, Saab is strategically positioned to spearhead this transformative development.
During recent flight trials, AI agents autonomously piloted aircraft in BVR combat situations. The software-defined structure of Gripen E allows for the seamless integration of new AI solutions into operational fighter aircraft without the need for standalone experimental platforms. This accelerates development cycles, enabling rapid translation of innovative technologies into operational capabilities.
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Saab stands at the forefront of defense and security, committed to safeguarding nations and their societies. With a dedicated team of 31,000 professionals, Saab relentlessly innovates to create a safer, more sustainable world. The company designs, manufactures, and sustains advanced systems across aeronautics, weaponry, command and control, sensors, and underwater realms. Headquartered in Sweden, Saab operates globally, serving as a vital component of the defense capabilities of various nations.
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