In a significant stride for artificial intelligence in military aviation, Saab and the European defense AI company Helsing have successfully completed the first flight tests integrating Helsing’s AI agent, ‘Centaur,’ into a Gripen E fighter jet. This breakthrough, announced on June 11, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the development of AI-powered capabilities for modern combat aircraft.
According to a press release from Helsing‘s newsroom on June 11, 2025, the trials, part of Project Beyond, demonstrated Centaur’s ability to execute complex maneuvers and provide fire commands to the pilot during Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat scenarios. The AI agent, developed by Helsing, operated autonomously as a co-pilot, enhancing the aircraft’s combat effectiveness and reducing pilot workload. The successful integration validates the potential of AI to revolutionize air-to-air combat and improve overall mission performance.
Janes.com, reporting on June 11, 2025, emphasized that these test flights were conducted to evaluate the AI’s ability to assist in tactical decision-making and enhance the Gripen E’s operational capabilities. The article mentioned that the AI agent acted as an intelligent assistant, processing vast amounts of sensor data in real-time to offer tactical recommendations and manage sub-tasks, thereby freeing up the human pilot to focus on higher-level strategic decisions. This progression from ground-based simulations to actual flight tests represents a critical step in bringing advanced AI into operational military platforms.
Defence-Industry.eu, also on June 11, 2025, highlighted the significance of this achievement for future combat air systems. The publication noted that the integration of Centaur into the Gripen E’s existing systems showcases a seamless human-machine teaming approach, where the AI augments human capabilities rather than replacing them. This collaboration between Saab, a leading aerospace and defense company, and Helsing, a specialist in defense AI, is seen as a key development for the future of air combat, paving the way for more autonomous and intelligent aerial platforms in the European defense landscape.
