Key Points – The Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet has successfully completed a series of test flights piloted by artificial intelligence, marking a major milestone in aerial combat technology.
-According to information released at the Paris Air Show, the “Centaur” AI pilot, developed by German company Helsing, took control of the Gripen during several flights between May 28 and June 3, successfully performing complex maneuvers in beyond-visual-range scenarios.
-In a final test, the AI pilot was pitted against a human pilot in a simulated engagement.
-This achievement positions the versatile and cost-effective JAS 39 Gripen at the forefront of AI integration in fighter aircraft.
JAS 39 Fighter Makes History
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is once again making headlines as the aircraft has reportedly made its first AI controlled test flights. According to information released at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget on June 16, 2025, the Swedish Air Force has confirmed that it has been taking steps to modernize the Gripen with the newest AI and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. These initiatives are finally bearing fruit as the JAS 39 recently made three test flights with an AI pilot at the helm.
The First Jet with Complete AI Integration?
Earlier in June, news sources reported that the JAS 39 Gripen had conducted several test flights with German developed AI in charge. The Centaur AI pilot, developed by German-based company Helsing, was reportedly integrated into the fighter and allowed to perform three separate flights will little to no human input required. During the flights, conducted between May 28 and June 3, the pilot handed over control of the Gripen E to the AI pilot which successfully completed complex maneuvers during beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement scenarios.
For its final flight, the AI was pitted against an “enemy” Gripen D with a human pilot to simulate a real engagement. The AI was tested at a number of different speeds, altitudes, and in many different scenarios. The overall goal of the tests was to determine how reliable and trustworthy AI can be against real time threats. While the results are still being analyzed by Saab, initial impressions indicated that the AI performed just as well, if not better than a human pilot in the same conditions. This achievement marks a significant milestone in AI integration and is likely to become a trend in the near future as other countries seek to replicate these results.
Development of the Gripen
The development of the Gripen began in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Sweden recognized the need to replace its aging fleet of Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen aircraft. The Swedish government issued a requirement for a new aircraft that could perform multiple roles including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, and reconnaissance.
This led to the creation of the JAS 39 Gripen. The project was undertaken by a consortium known as Industrigruppen JAS (IG JAS), which included Saab, Volvo Aero, Ericsson, and other Swedish firms. The first prototype took to the skies on December 9, 1988. Although the program faced early challenges, including a crash during a test flight in 1989, it continued with strong governmental backing. The aircraft officially entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996.
The Gripen was designed with a clear philosophy: to be a multirole aircraft that is affordable, easy to maintain, and capable of operating in a wide range of environments. It was intended to be a lightweight fighter that could deliver high performance without the high costs associated with many Western aircraft.
The design also emphasized ease of maintenance and rapid turnaround times, allowing the aircraft to be operated effectively even from remote or austere airbases. Furthermore, the Gripen was built to be interoperable with NATO systems, making it attractive to international customers.
Design and Capabilities
The Gripen features a delta wing and canard configuration, which provides excellent agility and short takeoff and landing capabilities.
It is equipped with a digital fly-by-wire flight control system that enhances stability and maneuverability. The avionics suite in the earlier versions includes the PS-05/A radar, a pulse-Doppler system capable of tracking multiple targets. In the more advanced Gripen E variant, this has been replaced by the Raven ES-05 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which offers superior range, tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The aircraft also includes a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, radar warning receivers, jammers, and countermeasures. The cockpit is fully digital, featuring a wide-angle head-up display, hands-on throttle and stick controls, and a modern interface that enhances pilot situational awareness.
The Gripen is powered by a single engine. The A through D variants use the Volvo RM12, a Swedish-built derivative of the General Electric F404 engine. The newer Gripen E and F variants are powered by the General Electric F414G engine, which provides greater thrust and allows for supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburner).
This gives the Gripen a top speed of around Mach 2, a combat radius of approximately 800 kilometers, and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. It is capable of withstanding g-forces up to +9 and -3, making it highly maneuverable in combat.
Why the JAS 39 Gripen has Become so Popular Recently
Over the years, several variants of the JAS 39 Gripen have been developed. The original A and B models were primarily used by the Swedish Air Force, with the B variant being a two-seat trainer. The C and D models introduced improvements such as NATO compatibility, in-flight refueling, and upgraded avionics.
These versions have been exported to countries including Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and Thailand. The most advanced versions, the Gripen E and F, feature a host of upgrades including the AESA radar, infrared search and track systems, increased fuel capacity, more weapon hardpoints, and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. These variants are designed to remain competitive with fifth-generation fighters in many respects.
In terms of armament, the Gripen is highly versatile. It can carry a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T, and the long-range Meteor missile. For air-to-ground missions, it can deploy AGM-65 Maverick missiles, laser-guided bombs, and various precision-guided munitions.
It is also capable of carrying anti-ship missiles like the RBS-15. The aircraft supports reconnaissance and electronic warfare pods, and the Gripen E variant can carry up to 10 external stores with a maximum payload of around 5,300 kilograms.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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