Saab Partners, Helsing to integrate AI into Gripen E fighter jet

Swedish aerospace giant Saab has teamed up with AI software developer Helsing to enhance its JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet with cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities.

Saab and AI company Helsing have teamed up on “Project Beyond” to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into the JAS 39 Gripen E, enhancing its capabilities. Unveiled at the 2024 International Fighter Conference in Berlin, the initiative seeks to incorporate Helsing’s AI directly into the Gripen’s core systems. This integration will allow the aircraft to manage data processing autonomously, reducing pilots' workload, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The real-time AI support will enable pilots to concentrate on mission-critical tasks while the system handles other operational functions automatically. Project Beyond highlights the increasing role of AI in modern fighter jets, mirroring similar advancements in Russia’s Su-57, and signaling the growing influence of AI in air combat technologies. One year ago, Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab formed a strategic partnership with AI-driven software developer Helsing, with the goal of integrating Helsing’s AI technology into Saab's platforms. 

This collaboration was officially unveiled at the 2024 International Fighter Conference (IFC) in Berlin, where it was announced that Helsing’s AI systems would be incorporated into the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E multirole combat aircraft.

The initiative, called Project Beyond, aims to enhance the Gripen E’s capabilities by enabling AI to assist with various tasks, allowing pilots to focus more on the flight and mission execution. This approach leverages the existing JAS 39 platform’s proven strengths, rather than developing an entirely new aircraft built around AI systems. "AI is not the future – we all have AI in our aircraft already – but harnessing the power of partnerships with new companies that are doing things radically faster than a lot of the other companies is why we are partnering with Helsing," said Johan Segertoft, Vice President and Head of the Gripen Business Unit at Saab. "

By Naila Huseynova