BAE and Avioniq trialling AI on Eurofighter Typhoon

BAE Systems is working together with Avioniq to trial an AI-enabled threat-detection system on a Eurofighter Typhoon simulator in the UK, according to a 16th June press release from Avionoiq. 

The tests are taking place at BAE’s facility in Warton and includes Rattlesnaq, a technology developed by Avioniq that employs “verifiable AI”, which means that “all the information given to pilots can be independently verified,” according to Mikael Grev, co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. 

The system works by assessing enemy air defence missiles and other assets to identify safer routes for the pilot to fly through. “Rattlesnaq defines a safe operational envelope for operators in the beyond visual range (BVR) battlespace by pinpointing where aircraft can fly without coming within the range of enemy missiles,” the press release states.

The system uses missile modelling as well as the company’s verifiable AI to improve situational awareness for pilots and their ability to understand the threats that might face them through visual warnings and indications. Specifically, the system continuously runs simulations of enemy platforms, weapons, and sensors, covering both the immediate vicinity of the aircraft and areas beyond the pilot’s line of sight. This vital information is then displayed to the pilot as a live threat assessment, clearly indicating both threats and strategic advantages within the battlespace. The goal is to empower the pilot to approach the enemy more closely and choose the most effective path to their objective, all without heightened risk.

The work is part of a larger series of tests that are underway to mature technologies for the Eurofighter Typhoon. This includes a new mission computer that is 200 times faster than its predecessor, and a larger display in the cockpit, which is “capable of presenting to the pilot the breadth and density of the target and threat environment,” the press release states. 

Rattlesnaq also enables collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to receive the same threat updates, which can be passed directly to their flight computer, the Avioniq website states. This could help improve the survivability of CCAs, especially against a peer opponent with a range of air defence capabilities. 

Avioniq secured a $2 million contract for Rattlesnaq with an undisclosed customer, which was announced earlier this year. It has also secured contracts for its AqLab and AqModel software, which can be used to build AI and test it. The latest contract was with the Swedish MoD, granting enterprise access to the systems. A separate contract was signed with the RAF in 2023 and covered the delivery of AI-powered decision support to the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office. 

“Under the contract, Avioniq’s proprietary technologies will support the RCO in enabling significantly enhanced combat aircraft survivability and pilot situational awareness in contested operating environments. Designed to harness the threat analysis and force-multiplying capabilities of AI, Avioniq’s computing environment applications offer a step-change for beyond visual range (BVR) combat operations,” that press release explained. It is unclear what happened with this contract or if there were any further developments from it for the British Typhoon fleet. 

Company profile: Avioniq

Avioniq, established in Sweden in 2015, specializes in military aircraft software development. The company’s technologies assist partners in managing contemporary military aviation challenges and fulfilling air protection objectives. Avioniq fosters innovation by integrating the knowledge of its team which includes former fighter pilots, like Mikael himself, and software engineers. The company spent the first six years of its existence researching and developing its products, as well as presumably providing those capabilities as a service. In 2021 it officially entered the defence market as a sub-contractor, providing products to defence companies and ministries of defence. 

Calibre comment

There is an emerging tension between fourth generation aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon, and fifth and sixth generation platforms. The latter two are seen as critical, but prohibitively expensive, meaning that fewer will likely be purchased than would otherwise be preferred. As a result, they will be supported by fleets CCAs or attritable systems as well as fourth generation aircraft that have often been retroactively improved through the integration of AI. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 16th June, 2025. The featured image shows a Eurofighter Typhoon in flight, the image credit is BAE Systems.