Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Saab’s Autonomous Swarm tech used in AUKUS trial

Defence

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm tech used in AUKUS trial

A large UK team, comprising 40 employees from Saab-owned BlueBear and UK MoD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) personnel, demonstrated the ability to deploy interoperable AI within Autonomous Swarms of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in AUKUS' recent Project Convergence 2024 trials.

Image courtesy BlueBear / Saab

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm technology recently featured in the ground-breaking Project Convergence 2024 trials, consisting of one month in the United States.

AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, held trials that demonstrated the pivotal role of BlueBear’s technology in collaborative, networked, swarms of UAS. BlueBear’s AI enabled Centurion mission system provided the ability for a single operator to command a diverse swarm of autonomous UAS.
 
At the core of BlueBear’s AI-enabled autonomy solution is the ability to ‘hot-swap’ AI from any supplier in an autonomous systems-of-systems. This technology is key to unlocking the game-changing potential of deployed networked sensors and effectors in an integrated multidomain battlefield.

Advertisement
ODU RT

BlueBear’s RedKite and Ghost UAS, were used in tandem with Centurion, by the tri-nation AUKUS team to rapidly retrain and deploy AI algorithms, that enabled the payloads and UAS.

Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director, Saab UK said: “The AUKUS trials marks a significant increase in our ability to interoperate with allied nations, both at mission and core technology levels. Significant investment from both the UK Government and Saab’s BlueBear have allowed us to collectively mature and de-risk high-value technologies that are imperative in modern warfare.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

The AUKUS trial was the culmination of Autonomy and Open Architecture work consistently funded by Dstl over two decades.

Saab acquired BlueBear in August 2023, as its rapid capability accelerator innovating new technologies and integrating them across Saab’s portfolio.

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
ALTEN opens office in Belfast

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ALTEN opens office in Belfast

14 April 2026

ALTEN has announced the opening of its newest UK office in Belfast, marking a significant strategic expansion into Northern Ireland.

Zelim’s ZOE becomes world’s first fully certified MOB system

Defence Security

Zelim’s ZOE becomes world’s first fully certified MOB system

14 April 2026

Edinburgh headquartered maritime safety and security specialist Zelim, today announced that its AI-enabled ZOE man-overboard detection (MOB) system has received official ISO 21195:2020 certification from independent classification body Lloyd’s Register, following successful completion of testing.

Norwegian Armed Forces upgrade simulation capabilities with OneArc’s VBS4

Defence

Norwegian Armed Forces upgrade simulation capabilities with OneArc’s VBS4

14 April 2026

Norwegian Armed Forces have selected an enterprise license upgrade to VBS 4, BAE Systems OneArc’s flagship virtual training and mission rehearsal environment.

Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

Defence

Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

13 April 2026

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has led a major trial on behalf of the British Army, using AI-powered drone technology to identify landmines and explosive ordnance, allowing bomb-disposal experts to conduct their mission faster through rapid detection.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

Defence

Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

13 April 2026

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, has reached a key milestone in the Maritime Multi Link (MML) programme, achieving the Equipment Delivery Date for Phase 2c, a significant step forward in how Royal Navy ships share critical battlefield information.

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

Defence

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

13 April 2026

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group is marking a year since interim (Deputy) NAD Andy Start established it in March 2025 and who is now retiring after 37 years in defence.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner