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Key Points and Summary: Sweden is developing the Flygsystem 2020, a sixth-generation stealth fighter designed to ensure NATO air dominance and counter Russian threats. Built by Saab, the Flygsystem 2020 features advanced stealth, artificial intelligence for enhanced situational awareness, and capabilities for manned-unmanned teaming, including controlling “Loyal Wingman” drones.

-This ambitious warbird aims to dominate contested airspace, supporting the older JAS 39 Gripen for now but poised to eventually replace it.

-With significant R&D and costs ahead, Sweden may explore partnerships with NATO allies to accelerate development. The Flygsystem 2020 highlights Sweden’s shift toward offensive capabilities and a strengthened role within NATO.

Sweden’s Flygsystem 2020: The Future of Sixth-Generation Air Dominance

The Swedes are getting into the sixth-generation fighter game, and they have big plans for a new stealth warbird that could transform its air force. The country is now a member of NATO, and the skies must be kept safe from Russian fighters who may encroach on Swedish or allied air space. The Saab Flygsystem 2020 certainly has a futuristic ring, and the defense contractor hopes the new airplane can quickly achieve air dominance. 

The next-generation jet could also replace the trustworthy JAS 39 Gripen someday.

Let’s look at this Flygsystem 2020 sixth-generation fighter to see how it stacks up to the competition.

The Flygsystem 2020 will have many features of sixth-generation flight that we have come to expect from the class. This means artificial intelligence in the cockpit for better situational awareness, the ability to be a drone mothership, and ultra-stealth capabilities. 

It’s Time for Some Air Dominance

The idea behind the Flygsystem 2020 is not just surviving in high-threat environments but dominating in aerial combat – whether by destroying military targets on the ground or eliminating enemy airplanes.

The Flygsystem 2020’s high level of radar evasion is what sets it apart from the JAS 39 Gripen, which is a quality fighter. Saab wants to make the Flygsystem 2020 one of the stealthiest airplanes. That also means lower infrared and acoustic signatures.

JAS 39 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Drone Mothership Has Many Advantages 

The Swedes also have big plans for the Flygsystem 2020 regarding manned-unmanned teaming capabilities. This means the sixth-generation fighter can control a “Loyal Wingman” drone or flight of drones that can sprint ahead to fire hypersonic missiles, collect intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data, conduct electronic warfare, and determine bomb damage assessment.

Flygsystem 2020: Clearing the Path for the JAS 39 Gripen

Thus, the Flygsystem 2020 can be deployed out of the range of enemy air defenses and allow the drones to destroy surface-to-air missile sites and radar installations on Day One of a battle. This would allow the non-stealth JAS 39 Gripen to make ground strikes on Day Two or Day Three of battle.

AI Will Be a Significant Ingredient

Artificial intelligence will help control the Loyal Wingman drones, but these new systems can make the pilot’s decision-making quicker. AI can complete tasks such as navigation and sensor evaluation, while the aviator can focus on dog fighting and making the aerial maneuvers necessary to survive in difficult situations. 

The Flygsystem 2020 will not come cheap. Sweden is not used to providing such large outlays for fighters. The JAS 39 Gripen is a cost-effective jet, but the new sixth-generation program will take substantial research and development costs plus time. This will be the first ultra-stealth jet in the fleet, and the engineers and designers at Saab must operate at the best of their ability to make the Flygsystem 2020 a reality.

Plus, the Flygsystem 2020 will probably not be an export airplane. The price would be too high, and the indigenous technology is at a level that the Swedes would want to protect, so don’t expect it to be in other air forces.

Time to Think About Going on Offense

Give the Swedes some credit for their ambition. The country could easily fall back on the Gripens and continue to fly that warplane in an air policing role for NATO. The Gripens do enjoy interoperability with NATO allies. 

JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Still, the Flygsystem 2020 concept shows that the Swedish military is taking Russia as a serious threat and that it is not afraid to go on the offense if needed.

The Flygsystem 2020 is a long way off. It won’t replace the Gripens completely on a one-for-one basis. The Flygsystem 2020 is expected to fly with the Gripens until the Swedes can afford to switch and send the JAS 39 into retirement.

The Swedes may want to ensure they have concrete design and price estimates before they begin bragging about the Flygsystem 2020. The U.S. Air Force is struggling with its sixth-generation warplane – the Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter (NGAD). The NGAD program is on operational pause until the incoming Trump administration’s national security team can review it and determine whether the airplane will get a green light for further development. The NGAD has struggled with affordability and design issues.  

Sweden may want to partner with other NATO allies when creating the technology behind the Flygsystem 2020. Teaming arrangements with international industry partners have helped the new Tempest next-generation fighter move forward.

The Flygsystem 2020 is a noteworthy defense program for a country not known for playing offense. The JAS 39 Gripen is adept at policing the skies for homeland defense, but now that Sweden is a NATO member, the country is looking for an airplane that can take the fight to the enemy. 

Saab will require years of research and development to deliver a sixth-generation airplane, but the defense contractor is up to the challenge. Look for the Flygsystem 2020 to become a reality in the next ten to fifteen years.

JAS 39 from Sweden. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

JAS 39 from Sweden. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.