Saab unveils A3-001 stealthy drone concept, aims for flight demo before 2030

Published Aug 22, 01:09 PM UTC

Saab has publicly displayed a full-scale model of its A3-001 uncrewed combat aircraft concept at the Jubilee Air Show in Linköping, Sweden. The company intends to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030. The A3 concept is designed to operate alongside the Gripen and future crewed combat aircraft, focusing on missions such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses, and precision strike in contested environments. Saab emphasizes low observability, high autonomy, and multi-domain operations. The demonstrator work is being conducted with the Swedish state, while the A3 system is Saab's own concept for potential production in the mid-2030s if Sweden decides to proceed. Sweden, which joined NATO in March 2024, is evaluating options to replace or supplement Gripen into the 2040s and has opted for incremental development alongside uncrewed systems rather than committing to the Global Combat Air Programme. The A3 enters a competitive field including US, British, French, German, Spanish, Australian, Turkish, South Korean, and Chinese programs.