42. Saab – Sweden
Saab, a leading Swedish defense and security company, is a significant innovator in the unmanned systems domain, providing a range of solutions for both military and civil applications.
While globally recognized for its fighter aircraft and traditional defense systems, Saab has increasingly focused on developing advanced technologies that enable effective drone operations and robust counter-drone capabilities.
Its approach emphasizes integration, autonomy, and the ability to operate in complex and contested environments.
Saab’s drone-related products and services include their Skeldar VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles, which are designed for reconnaissance, identification, target acquisition, and electronic warfare missions, capable of operating from both land and sea.
The company is also actively involved in developing advanced counter-UAS solutions, such as the recently unveiled “Loke” system, developed in collaboration with the Swedish Air Force, which integrates their Giraffe 1X radar for detection and classification with the Trackfire remote weapon station for neutralization.
Furthermore, Saab has acquired BlueBear Systems Research, an agile systems integrator specializing in robotic and autonomous systems, particularly for AI-enabled autonomous swarm systems and GPS/GNSS-denied flight capabilities.
Saab is also a partner in the European joint UAV project Dassault nEUROn, where it contributes to avionics and overall architecture. It is also exploring advanced concepts for loyal wingman drones, designed to complement manned fighter aircraft with stealthy, high-speed capabilities.
