Saab has unveiled the A3-001, a full-scale concept for a future collaborative combat aircraft, at the Swedish Armed Forces’ anniversary air show at Malmen Air Base in Linköping. The uncrewed design is intended to operate alongside the JAS 39 Gripen E and other crewed platforms in missions ranging from electronic warfare to suppression of enemy air defences and precision strike.
The public model was presented as part of Saab’s broader manned-unmanned teaming approach for future air combat. Aviation reports described the displayed aircraft as the A3 configuration in a development path that may begin with earlier A1 and A2 demonstrators before moving towards later versions.
Saab is targeting a first flight in about 18 months, a schedule that would place testing in late 2027 or early 2028 if development stays on track. The concept features low-observable shaping and a tailless layout, underlining the company’s push into Europe’s emerging autonomous combat-air segment.