Saab has unveiled a full-scale concept model of its A3-001 uncrewed combat air system, presenting the design publicly for the first time at the Jubilee Air Show at Malmen Air Base in Linköping, Sweden, on August 22, 2026.
The A3-001 is a future uncrewed platform designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft in integrated combat operations. Saab has built the concept to handle high-risk missions, including electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses, and precision strikes in contested environments.
Peter Nilsson, head of Saab’s Advanced Programs business unit, outlined the company’s timeline for the program. “We intend to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030 as we support Sweden in considering their future options,” Nilsson said.
The A3-001 concept incorporates low observability, a high degree of autonomy, and multi-domain operational capability. Saab designed the system to complement the Gripen fighter and future combat air platforms rather than replace them, positioning it as part of a broader crewed-uncrewed teaming architecture.
Nilsson added that Saab intends to develop the A3-001 by building on technology from its Gripen and GlobalEye programs. The company projects potential deployment in the mid-2030s, though that timeline depends on decisions still pending from the Swedish government.
The unveiling signals Saab’s push to secure a role in the next generation of European combat air capability, as uncrewed and autonomous systems increasingly shape how air forces plan future force structures.
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