Image source: topwar.ru
The Swedish Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the local Saab concern, which marked the intensification of the development of a new generation fighter. The agreement, worth $303 million, provides for conceptual work on a promising aircraft until 2029, and if extended– until 2031.
According to Saab, the contract involves the production of demonstration samples, in-depth research and development of concepts for both manned and unmanned platforms. The company will have to provide a general understanding of the appearance of the future fighter and the Air Force as a whole – system integration, autonomy, adaptation to signatures, specifics of the power plant and digital stuffing.
The Swedish new generation fighter program has been designated KFS ("future combat aircraft concept") and is also known as Vägval stridsflyg ("choosing the path for combat aviation"). It provides for the transition of the Air Force to a new platform after 2040.
KFS was launched after the country withdrew from the British-led Team Tempest (GCAP) project in 2023, opting instead for its own path. If the creation of the fighter itself remains a matter of the distant future within the framework of the program, then the completion of the development of a line of drones is expected soon.
Full-size model of the "faithful slave" Saab A3-001:
Image source: topwar.ru
Saab has announced a line of three consecutive unmanned systems (the F-series or ACP family) that are supposed to fly at supersonic speeds, acting as "faithful wingmen" in conjunction with manned Gripen E/F fighter jets and GlobalEye AWACS aircraft. The flight of the basic demonstrator with a GE Aerospace F414 turbofan engine (similar to the Gripen E) is expected in 2027-2028. By 2030, the A2 prototype with combat and sensor load should take off. The flight of the final combat UAV (A3 concept) is scheduled for the early 2030s.
