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Saab JAS-39 Gripen at ILA 2010
Saab JAS-39 Gripen at ILA 2010, User:MatthiasKabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Saab JAS 39 Gripen-F: Crewed Fighter, Supersonic Drone, System Integration

The Gripen-F ecosystem integrates crewed and uncrewed platforms for sixth-gen air combat, emphasizing modularity, AI, and cost-efficiency. It features five platforms: a crewed fighter, a supersonic drone, a light subsonic drone, a medium subsonic drone, and an AI-driven wingman.

Großwald profile image
by Großwald

Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab has introduced conceptual designs for the Gripen-F series, a potential next-generation combat aircraft ecosystem. This ecosystem aims to integrate crewed and uncrewed platforms to redefine air superiority while reflecting Sweden’s evolving air combat needs. Although these concepts are still in the early stages, they signal Saab's ambition to compete in the realm of sixth-generation air combat systems.

The development aligns with global trends in integrating unmanned platforms, as seen in China's J-20 with the FH-97A drone, Europe's FCAS program integrating drones with sixth-generation fighters, and the United States' emphasis on autonomous systems to enhance mission effectiveness and pilot safety.




The Gripen-F Series Ecosystem: Five Platforms for Unified Air Superiority

As revealed in a recent SVT broadcast featuring Peter Nilsson, Saab's Head of Advanced Programs, the Gripen-F ecosystem is summarized as “Same Brain in Different Bodies.” This unified approach leverages shared technologies to ensure interoperability and cost efficiency. The ecosystem includes five key components:

Gripen-F Spec 1: Crewed Combat Aircraft

The centerpiece of the Gripen-F series, a manned fighter with a blended wing-body design for improved aerodynamics and stealth. This advanced aircraft is equipped for high-speed operations and robust defense capabilities. Drawing on Saab's extensive experience with the Gripen platform, it features canard control surfaces for enhanced agility and a delta wing design for optimal lift, contributing to its exceptional maneuverability and short takeoff performance.


Gripen-F Spec 2: Supersonic Drone

An uncrewed platform capable of exceeding the speed of sound, sharing the General Electric F414 jet engine with the crewed Gripen-F. This pragmatic design reduces costs and simplifies maintenance. The drone’s streamlined modularity mirrors the flexibility of the Gripen’s avionics, enabling adaptability to various mission needs.


The "supersonic drone capabilities" of the Gripen-F align with global advancements in high-speed unmanned platforms. Explore China's next-gen fin design for stealth fighters: China's next-gen PL-15E BVRAAM for J-20 and J-35A.

China’s PL-15E Missile Redefines Stealth Fighter Warfare
China’s PL-15E missile, presented at Zhuhai Air Show, enhances J-20 and J-35A stealth fighters with a 200km range, AESA radar, and foldable fins for increased stealth and firepower. Designed for Indo-Pacific dominance, it marks a strategic challenge to U.S. aerial superiority in contested regions.

Gripen-F Spec 3: Light Subsonic Drone (<1 ton) 

Designed for high flexibility, potentially deployable from other aircraft to extend operational reach and versatility. Its compact size and advanced avionics allow for precise and effective mission execution.


Gripen-F Spec 4: Medium Subsonic Drone (up to 5 tons) 

A multi-role platform ideal for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and other mission-critical support tasks. This platform integrates seamlessly with existing Gripen systems, offering networked capabilities for enhanced situational awareness.


Gripen-F Spec 5: Uncrewed Wingman Concept

These drones operate alongside the crewed fighter, leveraging advanced AI for semi-autonomous functionality. They can act as decoys, engage in high-risk combat, or perform surveillance and precision strikes. These capabilities reflect Saab’s "loyal wingman" approach, demonstrated through the integration of AI-driven drones that can act as decoys, provide reconnaissance, and support high-risk combat missions. For example, the subsonic drones' ability to coordinate with manned fighters enhances mission versatility and minimizes risk to human pilots.



The evolution of "AI-driven operational systems" enhances modern air combat capabilities. Discover more about future C-UAS defense solutions: AI-driven EO/IR systems: The future of C-UAS defense.

AI-Driven EO/IR Systems: The Future of cUAS Defense
Explore EO/IR systems that use AI for cUAS to revolutionize defense against unmanned aerial threats, enhancing detection and response capabilities.



Shared Technology and Operational Synergies

A hallmark of Saab’s F-series vision is the strategic use of shared systems across platforms, highlighted by the integration of the General Electric F414 engine, modular avionics, and AI-driven decision-making tools.

This approach reduces logistical complexity, cuts development costs, and enhances operational interoperability. Saab’s "loyal wingman" concept, mirroring global trends like China’s J-20/FH-97A pairing and Europe’s FCAS initiative, allows drones in the F-series to operate independently or collaboratively with the Gripen E fighter, ensuring backward compatibility and operational flexibility.

The F-series integrates stealth technology, artificial intelligence, and modular design, with advanced avionics leveraging "sensor fusion" to combine data from multiple systems. This significantly improves decision-making and mission effectiveness in dynamic combat scenarios.

Shared use of the F414 engine further streamlines logistics and enables rapid deployment, building on the Gripen’s legacy of modularity, exemplified by its PS-05/A radar and adaptable mission capabilities.

By focusing on interoperability, advanced technology, and modular systems, Saab positions the F-series as a cohesive and future-ready solution for modern air combat challenges.



Broader Adoption of "Loyal Wingman" Concepts Worldwide

The Gripen-F aligns with the global trend of integrating "Loyal Wingman" concepts, where unmanned systems complement manned fighters to enhance battlefield capabilities. 

  • China: The J-20 stealth fighter is set to be accompanied by the supersonic FH-97A drone, reflecting similar aspirations in high-speed unmanned platforms.
  • Europe: The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), spearheaded by Airbus and Dassault, aims to deploy a sixth-generation fighter with a networked system of drones and advanced weaponry by 2040.
  • United States and Australia: Several programs explore unmanned systems to complement manned fighters, focusing on autonomy and cooperative engagement.

The "loyal wingman concept" extends across multiple defense applications, demonstrating collaboration between manned and unmanned systems. Learn how unified platforms drive innovation: Rheinmetall and Auterion develop unified OS forunmanned platforms.

Rheinmetall and Auterion Develop Unified OS for Unmanned Platforms
The collaboration, revealed on December 9, 2024, aims to simplify operations and enhance interoperability across unmanned aerial, land, and naval systems, marking a significant step toward establishing a military industry standard.



Challenges and Future Outlook

Saab faces significant challenges in independently realizing a sixth-generation ecosystem. The high development costs and lack of guaranteed export markets may necessitate partnerships, potentially rejoining British or pan-European efforts. Alternatively, Saab could focus on developing standalone unmanned platforms to complement existing fighters like the Gripen.

Saab’s near-term goal is to refine its FCAS concept, with a decision expected within the next few years. The Swedish FCAS timeline, extending to around 2050, contrasts with the more ambitious 2040 targets of European peers. Nonetheless, Saab’s focus on shared systems and attritable designs underscores its commitment to pragmatic innovation.


The "sixth-generation air combat systems" signal a shift in global defense strategies. Dive deeper into the future of next-gen fighter programs: The US Air Force modernization dilemma: Beyond NGAD.

What Is NGAD? A Guide to Next Gen Air Dominance
What is NGAD? The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is the U.S. Air Force’s leap into the future of air combat. Designed to replace the F-22 Raptor, NGAD combines stealth, AI, and next-generation weapons for air superiority in contested skies against threats from near-peer adversaries



Conclusion

he Gripen-F series exemplifies Saab's forward-looking approach to air defense by incorporating cutting-edge modular avionics, AI-driven operational systems, and a commitment to cost-efficient, scalable technology. This approach ensures seamless adaptability to evolving combat scenarios and enhances interoperability with allied defense systems.

By integrating manned and unmanned systems within a unified operational framework, Saab is setting new benchmarks by demonstrating enhanced interoperability between platforms, reducing operational costs through modular design, and advancing mission capabilities with AI-driven decision-making tools. 

While supersonic drone concepts remain rare due to technical and cost challenges, Saab’s Gripen-F series concept marks a pioneering effort in this domain. The emphasis on pragmatic solutions, such as shared engine platforms and robust avionics, position it as a viable solution that respects cost-effectiveness for technologically advanced defense systems. The Gripen’s flexibility aims to be an adaptable solution in the next-gen aerospace market.

As the concept of the Gripen-F series continues to become operational, first aspects showcase practical advancements in air combat technology. Enhanced AI integration and improved collaboration between manned and unmanned platforms is ultimately designed to increase mission efficiency and safety. Leveraging the Gripen’s design principles— advanced avionics, modular systems, and operational flexibility—is expected to enable faster upgrades, more efficient mission execution, and enhanced collaboration across allied forces.


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by Großwald

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