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
Leonardo 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
Leonardo 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
Cranfield University

Defence

16 June 2025

The operation took place in Leith and marked a major milestone in the ship’s build journey. Following a carefully coordinated marine transfer, HMS Venturer has now returned to Babcock's Rosyth facility where outfitting and systems integration will continue in preparation for sea trials.

BAE Systems trialling Avioniq’s decision aid tech on Typhoon

Defence

BAE Systems trialling Avioniq’s decision aid tech on Typhoon

16 June 2025

BAE Systems is working alongside Avioniq to trial AI-driven decision aid technology on Eurofighter Typhoon to explore how it could give fighter jet pilots uniquely optimised threat updates whilst airborne.

Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to UK up 64% in 10 years

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to UK up 64% in 10 years

16 June 2025

The UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors added £42.2 billion to the UK economy in 2024, according to new data from ADS, equating to a 64% increase over the last decade.

Babcock and Polish Air Force University team on training

Defence

Babcock and Polish Air Force University team on training

16 June 2025

Babcock and the Polish Air Force University have unveiled plans to use leading edge technology and sensory rich training to prepare military personnel for the fast-changing nature of modern warfare.

Advertisement
ODU RT
PTC unveils Onshape

Aerospace Defence Events

PTC unveils Onshape's advanced MBD capabilities at Paris Air Show

13 June 2025

PTC has unveiled its model-based definition (MBD) capabilities within its Onshape computer-aided design (CAD) and product data management (PDM) platform - with Aura Aero - at the Paris Air Show.

UK Defence Secretary opens artillery factory in Sheffield

Defence Events

UK Defence Secretary opens artillery factory in Sheffield

13 June 2025

The UK Defence Secretary John Healey has officially opened a landmark £25 million BAE Systems artillery factory that is the first to restore critical gun barrel manufacturing capability in the UK.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025