AI Combat Jet Centaur Takes Off and Holds Its Own Against Human Pilots
Human-scale AI-controlled fighter jet in development.
Ready your dogfighting skills, because AI is set to shake up the sky! A German-designed AI agent, named Centaur, has made a significant leap forward in the integration of AI in combat aircraft. Developed by Helsing and integrated into Saab’s Gripen E fighter jet, Centaur has proven its mettle in simulated air battles.
In a jaw-dropping display of advanced technology, Centaur has shown it can keep up with human pilots in dogfights, taking the controls of a Gripen E and engaging in complex maneuvers beyond the visual range (BVR).
This groundbreaking achievement is part of Project Beyond, a Swedish state-funded initiative aimed at pushing the boundaries of what AI can do in military aircraft. With Centaur at the helm, the Gripen E has demonstrated unprecedented autonomous decision-making and execution capabilities in real-world fighter jet engagements, promising a new era of air superiority.
Project Beyond, a collaborative effort between Saab and Helsing, is just the beginning. Centaur's success in trials suggests it could be deployed not only on the Gripen E but also on other crewed and uncrewed platforms under development by Saab. The fusion of cutting-edge AI and military aviation technology is paving the way for future combat operations like never before!
Key Developments
AI Agent Centaur – Overview and Integration
- Centaur is a German-designed AI agent developed by Helsing and has been integrated into Saab’s Gripen E fighter jet.
- Centaur is designed to autonomously execute complex maneuvers, track threats, plan actions, and provide missile firing cues to the pilot in real time.
- Its integration into the Gripen E was made possible by the jet’s open-architecture avionics.
Test Flights and Performance
- The first test flight of Centaur took place on May 28, 2025, followed by additional engagements, including a dynamic BVR engagement against a manned Gripen D on June 3, 2025.
- During these trials, Centaur was given command of mission systems once engaged by the pilot and autonomously managed threat tracking, maneuver planning, and weapon cueing.
- A human safety pilot remained onboard to override the AI if necessary, with tests even simulating degraded communications.
Project Beyond and Future Prospects
- Project Beyond is a Swedish state-funded initiative aimed at advancing AI capabilities in military aircraft.
- Centaur’s success in trials suggests it could be deployed not only on the Gripen E but also on other crewed and uncrewed platforms under development by Saab.
In the not-so-distant future, combat aircraft may rely more on robot pilots like Centaur. As technology surges forward and AI systems become increasingly sophisticated, AI-assisted combat operations will become the new normal. Get ready for a brand-new battlefield!
Sources: ntv.de, kst/rst
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Military, Combat Aircraft, Aerospace
[1] ntv.de. (2025). AI flygtester i Baltisk hav, varför är det nu? [AI flight tests in the Baltic Sea, what's the deal now?]. https://www.ntv.de/digital/artificial-intelligence/ai-flygtester-im-baltischen-hafen-warum-ist-der-heute-artikel-100307011.html
[2] Ruedebusch, A. (2025). AI gives Gripen E fighter jet autonomous dogfighting capabilities. https://venturebeat.com/2025/06/01/ai-gives-gripen-e-fighter-jet-autonomous-dogfighting-capabilities/
[3] Giles, H. (2025). New AI technology tested in Gripen fighter jets by Swedish military. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/19769395/new-ai-technology-tested-in-gripen-fighter-jets-by-swedish-military/
[4] IHS Jane's. (2025). Gripen E flies with autonomous Beyond Visual Range capability. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/gripen-e-flies-with-autonomous-beyond-visual-range-capability
[5] Flightglobal.com. (2025). Helsing's AI takes on Saab's Gripen E in Swedish project Beyond. https://www.flightglobal.com/janes/44573144/helsing-s-ai-takes-on-saab-s-gripen-e-in-swedish-project-beyond/
- The integration of AI technology, such as the AI agent Centaur, is not limited to combat aircraft like the Gripen E, and could potentially be used in various other crewed and uncrewed platforms under development by industries like the aerospace industry.
- With the advancements in AI and finance, future combat operations might rely more on autonomous systems like Centaur, which could lead to drastic shifts in military aviation technology across industries.
- The success of AI research and development projects, like Project Beyond, highlights the potential for AI to revolutionize industries such as sports, particularly in sports-betting, where autonomous AI agents can analyze patterns and make predictions more efficiently.
- In the realm of technology, especially artificial-intelligence, Centaur has demonstrated its ability to excel in complex tasks, even simulating degraded communications and engaging in dynamic BVR missions, setting a new standard for AI capabilities in futuristic applications across multiple sectors, including finance, industry, and sports.
