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
General Atomics LB
Metis wins Kongsberg contract for Skyperion Lightweight

Defence

Metis wins Kongsberg contract for Skyperion Lightweight

15 June 2026

Lincoln based specialists in providing Radio Frequency (RF) and drone detection tech, Metis, has been selected to provide its Skyperion Lightweight passive RF sensor to Kongsberg to support the Polish SAN counter Uncrewed Air System (cUAS) programme, worth over £30 million.

Cambridge Pixel showcasing VSD-C2 at Eurosatory

Defence Events

Cambridge Pixel showcasing VSD-C2 at Eurosatory

15 June 2026

Cambridge Pixel is at Eurosatory, Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre (15th-19th June), showcasing its iVSD-C2 display software.

Thales unveils AI-powered Gladiator at Eurosatory

Defence Events

Thales unveils AI-powered Gladiator at Eurosatory

15 June 2026

Today at Eurosatory in Paris (15th-19th June), Thales has unveiled its new AI-powered Gladiator Training Data Analytics solution with Advanced After Action Review (AAR) capabilities that include interactive timelines, exercise replay, tactical metrics grounded in the fundamental principles of warfare, and AI-powered communications analysis.

Europe

Defence

Europe's largest drone test centre opened in Swindon

15 June 2026

The new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP has opened Europe’s biggest drone testing centre in Swindon, learning lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts and set to rapidly develop and field capabilities in far shorter time frames.

Advertisement
ODU RT
BAE Systems launching advanced digital fires capability at Eurosatory

Defence Events

BAE Systems launching advanced digital fires capability at Eurosatory

12 June 2026

BAE Systems is launching its latest digital innovation to the front-line at Eurosatory in Paris next week, an advanced Indirect Fire Control System designed to enhance the precision, speed and connectivity of modern artillery operations.

UK Defence Secretary resigns

Defence

UK Defence Secretary resigns

12 June 2026

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned, citing funding levels outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as unacceptable and that it would impact the readiness of Britain's armed forces.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB