An AI pilot has managed to beat a human fighter pilot during a battle in the air.
The historic breakthrough in defense technology saw the robot-driven aircraft outmanoeuvre a human-operated fighter jet during a simulated air combat exercise.
The event marked a major leap forwards in AI warfare capabilities.
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High-technology Swedish company Saab partnered up with German AI company Helsing to complete the feat.
They announced that three advanced test flights had been completed this week.
The flights ran under Project Beyond – a government-backed initiative to integrate AI into real-world fighter operations.
Tests were conducted between 28 May and 3 June, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Each one featured Helsing’s AI pilot agent, named Centaur, which was placed inside a Gripen E fighter aircraft.
Centaur was put up against a human pilot who flew a Gripen D, and was a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) aerial battle.
BVR refers to a military strategy and technology where combat engagements occur at a distance.
The target is not directly visible to the pilot or observer.
It was reported that the official outcome was inconclusive, however the AI demonstrated real-time decision-making, complex maneuvering, and threat engagement autonomously.
Peter Nilsson, head of Advanced Programmes at Saab, stated that this was an “important achievement” for the company involved in defense, aviation, and aerospace.
He said: “This is an important achievement for Saab, demonstrating our qualitative edge in sophisticated technologies by making AI deliver in the air.
“We are excited to continue developing and refining how this and other AI agents can be used, while once again showing how our fighters will outperform faster than the opponent can evolve.”
The project was funded by the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV).
It is part of the country’s larger concept programme exploring future fighter systems.
Other global fighter programs often operate on 10 to 15 year development cycles.
Helsing has claimed that its AI agent was fed the equivalent of 30 years’ worth of experience every week through simulator training.
This is also the first known instance of AI being tested in real air combat situations involving operational aircraft, rather than test planes or simulator-only environments.
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