Saab unveils supersonic combat drone concept designed for high-risk missions
Saab unveiled a prototype of a supersonic drone (photo: saab.com)
Saab unveiled a concept for a future uncrewed supersonic aircraft during the Swedish Armed Forces Air Show, according to the company's press service.
The A3-001 concept is said to demonstrate the potential evolution of future air combat capabilities, with crewed and uncrewed platforms operating together as part of an integrated system.
The uncrewed platform will be able to complement crewed Gripen aircraft and GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft. The concept is designed to carry out high-risk combat missions such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses, and precision strike operations.
"We are currently in an intensive development phase where, together with Sweden, we are exploring technologies that will lay the foundation for the next generation of combat air systems. As part of this work, we intend to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030," said Peter Nilsson, head of business unit Advanced Programs at Saab.
A few weeks ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian pilots would soon switch to new Gripen E combat aircraft. According to him, preparations are progressing faster than expected.
Belgium will also transfer seven F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026. Three of them will be combat aircraft, while the other four will be used for spare parts.
