The model is on public display at the Swedish Armed Forces Jubilee Air Show at Malmen Air Base in Linköping. It illustrates one possible direction for future crewed-uncrewed operations.
Saab envisages A3-001 carrying out high-risk missions in heavily contested environments. Potential roles include electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defences and precision strikes.
The concept combines low-observable characteristics with a high degree of autonomy. It is also intended to operate across multiple domains as part of a wider system of systems.
A3-001 is separate from Saab’s current technology work with Sweden on next-generation combat air capabilities. Under that programme, Saab intends to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030.
“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 as we support Sweden in considering their future options,” said Peter Nilsson, head of business unit Advanced Programs at Saab.
“This separate Saab A3 system is our own concept for what could follow in the mid-2030s should Sweden decide to build on the work we are currently doing. Saab is well positioned to develop the next generation of combat air systems building on Gripen and GlobalEye, combined with our long experience in advanced aerospace systems.”
Saab presents A3-001 as a potential uncrewed component of a future combat air system rather than a confirmed aircraft programme. Further development will depend on Sweden’s decisions about its future combat air capabilities.
