This autonomous combat aircraft concept is straight out of future
What's the story
Swedish defense giant, Saab, has unveiled a full-scale concept of its new stealthy supersonic autonomous combat aircraft. The innovative design is part of the company's Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) program. The ACP envisions uncrewed planes that can carry weapons and perform missions like air-to-air combat, strikes, electronic warfare, and suppression of enemy air defenses.
Design features
Design elements of the A3 concept
The A3 concept aircraft comes with a tailless configuration, blended body, and cropped wings.
These design elements are specifically aimed at reducing its radar signature.
The aircraft also has an internal weapons bay, which can carry munitions without exposing them externally.
This way, it can maintain its low observable characteristics while carrying out missions effectively.
Testing phase
Two technology demonstrators are supporting the A3 concept
The A3 concept is being supported by two technology demonstrators, dubbed A1 and A2.
These are meant to turn the ACP vision into flying hardware.
Saab plans to use these demonstrators to test the technologies required for a future autonomous combat aircraft before moving toward a more operationally representative platform.
The first demonstrator, A1, is expected to begin flight testing soon.
Operational strategy
Saab's vision for the Gripen E
Saab envisions the Gripen E as a command and coordination platform, with autonomous aircraft operating ahead of or alongside the fighter during combat missions.
This strategy would allow a Gripen pilot to direct multiple ACP aircraft while staying away from heavily defended areas of the battlefield.
The uncrewed planes could be assigned different roles like carrying weapons, conducting electronic warfare, gathering intelligence, or attacking enemy air-defense systems.