Air Force Innovation in focus: Enhancing operational capabilities
How does the Swedish Air Force use innovation and collaborate with academia, startups, and industry to accelerate capability development and address tomorrow’s security challenges? Welcome to an in-depth session hosted by KTH Innovation.
Beyond next-generation fighter aircraft, the focus is shifting toward intelligent sensor ecosystems, AI-driven decision support for mission planning and command, and agile innovation pipelines that can rapidly respond to emerging operational needs.
At this event, you’ll gain insights into how the capability development process works in practice, how it is currently evolving at high speed, and how collaboration with students, researchers, and startups can help meet future needs faster.
A limited number of pre-selected startups from KTH will get the chance to sit down for a 1-1 meeting with Swedish Air Force representatives to explore future possibilities for collaboration.
If you have an existing startup that you think would be of interest to the Swedish Air Force,
please complete this form
and we will get in touch (there are limited spots). If you have completed the form in the past, please email Marcus Dahllöf at
mdahllof@kth.se
to express your interest and make a case for a meeting.
Agenda
11:30: Registration, lunch and informal mingle (Lunch for the first 60 people)
12:00: Moderated discussion & audience questions
13.00-14.00: A chance to talk to the presenters
14.00-16.00: Individual meetings with pre-selected KTH startups
Air force innovation
Defense innovation is increasingly shaped by intelligent, integrated systems that combine manned and unmanned capabilities across air, cyber, and information domains. These platforms leverage resilient sensor networks, secure communications, and AI-driven decision support to enhance situational awareness and operational agility.
Energy-efficient designs and adaptive technologies are being developed to counter emerging threats, while streamlined logistics and maintenance ensure sustained readiness in fast-changing environments.
Complementing these advances are powerful data analytics, simulation tools, and training systems that accelerate capability development and operational learning. Agile innovation processes and rapid knowledge transfer from field exercises are fostering a responsive ecosystem for defense R&D.
This environment offers fertile ground for startups and academic researchers to contribute transformative solutions that address complex challenges and shape the future of defense technologies.
Who should join?
KTH researchers, KTH students, and KTH startups with interest in:
Autonomous systems and AI for air operations
Command and control decision support and automated planning
Protection of sensor networks against cyberattacks, electronic warfare, and physical threats
