Editing Saab AB (section)

== History ==
=== Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) ===
[[File:SAAB logotyp 1939.svg|thumb|SAAB's logotype from 1939, depicting a license built [[Junkers Ju 86]], the first aircraft produced by the company.]]
Saab was founded by [[AB Bofors]] in 1937 as ''Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget'' ([[acronym]] ''SAAB''; {{literally|The Swedish Aeroplane Corporation}}), located in [[Trollhättan]],<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |work=Saab AB |url=http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/about/heritage.jsp |title=History and Background: Timeline, Video |publisher=saabusa.com |date=1 January 1980 |place=US |access-date=11 February 2009 |archive-date=23 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223205615/http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/about/heritage.jsp |url-status= dead }}</ref> by reforming the aircraft engine division of engineering company [[NOHAB]] (''Nohab Flygmotorfabrik AB'', {{literally|Nohab Aero engine factory}}), which had been acquired by Bofors in 1935. Bofors had in recent years been in development with the [[Swedish Air Force]] (SAF) to create aircraft weaponry and ordnance and wanted to create an aircraft manufacturing subortinate which could take a monopoly over the SAF's future aircraft orders, a premise supported by the SAF.<ref name="Svfpl Andersson">{{cite book |last1=Andersson |first1=Lennart |title=Svenska flygplan : Den svenska flygindustrins historia : history of the Swedish aviation industry |date=1990 |publisher=Allt om hobby |location=Stockholm |pages=102–121, 156–173 178–235}}</ref> At the time, however, there already was a competing company formed with this premise in 1931, by the name of [[AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning|ASJA]] (''AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning'', {{literally|The Swedish Railway workshops Aeroplane department}}), located in [[Linköping]], which was a successor to [[Svenska Aero]] (''SA'') under Sven Blomberg, head designer of the [[Svenska Aero Jaktfalken]] fighter plane. ASJA had solicit Blomberg from Svenska Aero in 1930 and later purchased the company in 1932 along with their portfolio of designs, quickly making them the leading aeroplane manufacturer in Sweden at the time.<ref name="Svfpl Andersson"/>

Bofors started negotiating with ASJA in 1936 to see if they could enter into a sort of stock sharing [[consortium]] lead under a [[parent company]]. Such a deal was struck in 1937, with support from the SAF, the parent company being named ''AB Förenade Flygverkstäder'' (''AFF''). To ease future competition, Bofors bought out small competitor [[Edmund Sparmann|E. Sparmanns aircraft workshop]], which at the time was developing a modern fighter for the SAF, under the name of {{Interlanguage link|Sparmann E4|sv}}.<ref name="Svfpl Andersson"/>

Despite the consortium, SAAB in Trollhättan (previously Nohab Flygmotorfabrik AB) still had to compete with ASJA over contracts and the cooperation never came to fruition. While SAAB in Trollhättan got a few contracts, such as license producing the [[Junkers Ju 86]] bomber for the Swedish Air Force (SAF designation ''B 3'') in 1938, ASJA won most of the contracts from the SAF, such as license production of the Hawker Hart (''B 4'') and [[Northrop Model 8]] (''B 5'').<ref name="Svfpl Andersson"/> After ASJA's design bureau produced the winning designs for what eventually became the [[Saab 17]] (ASJA L-10) and [[Saab 18]] (ASJA L-11), beating out AFF/SAAB's competing F.1 and G.1 designs, it was decided in March 1939 to scrap AFF and formally reform ASJA into the SAAB-[[Concern (business)|concern]], the Trollhättan factory (previously Nohab) becoming ''SAAB/T'' and the Linköping factory (previous ASJA) becoming ''SAAB/L'', the latter becoming [[headquarters]].<ref name="Svfpl Andersson"/>

[[File:SAAB Linköping, L-18B (Saab 18) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[SAAB 18]]B (internal name ''L-18B'') being produced at the Saab Linköping factory at the end of [[World War II]].]]
The basic initial development was the problems for the [[Swedish government]] to get quality [[military aircraft]] delivered at the beginning of the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The final trigger was the inability to get a large number of [[Seversky P-35]] delivered from the United States. From then on the Swedish government focused on establishing domestic production and development of military aircraft which Saab became involved in, a policy that has continued to this day. The first SAAB-developed aircraft was the [[SAAB 17]] light dive bomber (first flight: 1940-05-18), soon followed by the [[SAAB 18]] [[schnellbomber]] (first flight: 1942-06-19) and [[SAAB 21]] single-seat fighter (first flight: 1943-07-30), among other developments, the latter being the first aircraft to see service with a modern style [[ejection seat]], using gunpowder to eject instead of compressed air like the contemporary German counterparts.

[[File:SAAB Logotyp 1943.svg|thumb|SAAB's logotype from around 1943.]]
Originally manufacturing aircraft, the company sought ways in which to diversify its business. Before the Second World War, a majority of cars in Sweden were imported from the United States. The US car manufacturers were producing [[tank]]s during the war, and the US domestic market took all the US car production in the late 1940s. Hence there was a large supply shortage of private cars in Europe and Sweden, and buyers were facing waiting lists for years for new cars. In the late 1940s, Saab began manufacturing cars at its [[Saab Automobile]] division, based in Trollhättan. The first car was the [[Saab 92]]; full-scale production started 12 December 1949, based on the prototype [[Ursaab]].<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pI_r3ULwTkMC&pg=PA118 |title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Automobiles |page = 118 |first = Giles |last = Chapman |publisher = Dorling Kindersley |date = May 2009 |access-date = 3 May 2012 |isbn = 9781405336956 |archive-date = 19 April 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230419082012/https://books.google.com/books?id=pI_r3ULwTkMC&pg=PA118 |url-status = live }}</ref> Around 1950 the style "Saab" started being used instead of the [[all caps]] "SAAB".<ref name="Gunston">{{cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill |title=World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers, 2nd Edition |year=2005 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |location=Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, [[England|ENG]], UK |isbn=0-7509-3981-8 |page=164 }}</ref>

In the late 1950s Saab ventured into the computer market with [[Datasaab]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The company was a result partly of the need to make a computer that would be small enough to mount in an aeroplane as navigational equipment. During the 1960s several computers were developed and sold to European countries, for uses such as banking. The aircraft computer (CK 37) was used in 1971 in the [[Saab Viggen|Viggen]]. The company was sold in 1975 to [[UNIVAC|Sperry UNIVAC]], while Saab retained its flight computer development.

=== Saab AB ===
[[File:SAAB Logotyp 1965.svg|thumb|Saab's logotype from the late 1950s.]]
In May 1965, the company name was changed to Saab AB to reflect its broad range of activities.<ref name="Gunston"/>

In 1968 Saab AB merged with the Swedish lorry, bus and heavy-duty [[diesel engine]] manufacturer [[Scania-Vabis]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swedecar.com/saab_history.htm |title=History of Saab |publisher=Swedecar |date=1 September 1939 |access-date=11 February 2009 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615053650/http://www.swedecar.com/saab_history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and became [[Saab-Scania]] AB.

In 1990 [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] bought 51% of the car division [[Saab Automobile]], and acquired the rest a decade later.

In 1991 [[Investor AB]] completed a leveraged buyout of Saab-Scania AB. Investor AB acquired all the outstanding shares in Saab-Scania for approximately SEK 21 billion.<ref>{{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.investorab.com/about-investor/investor%27s-history/1984-1994/ | publisher = Investor AB | title = History | contribution = 1984–1994 | access-date = 14 January 2016 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195419/http://www.investorab.com/about-investor/investor%27s-history/1984-1994/ | url-status = live }}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | publisher = Funding universe | contribution-url = http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Saab-Automobile-AB-Company-History.html | contribution = Saab Automobile AB company | title = History | access-date = 21 April 2012 | archive-date = 4 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120304094834/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Saab-Automobile-AB-Company-History.html | url-status = live }}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.alacrastore.com/deal-snapshot/Patricia_AB_launches_a_tender_offer_for_Saab_Scania_AB_from_Investor_AB-41963 | publisher = AlacraStore | title = Deal snapshot | contribution = Patricia AB launches a tender offer for Saab-Scania AB from Investor AB }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> Saab-Scania became a wholly owned subsidiary of Investor AB and the company was de-listed.<ref>{{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.scania.com/investor-relations/company-overview/financial-history/ | title = Company overview | publisher = Scania | contribution = Official financial history | access-date = 21 April 2012 | archive-date = 19 March 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150319191556/http://scania.com/investor-relations/company-overview/financial-history/ | url-status = dead }}.</ref>

In 1995 Saab-Scania was divided by Investor AB into two independent companies, de-merging into Scania AB and Saab AB. The intention by Investor AB was to broaden ownership in the two companies later.<ref>{{Citation | type = Investor report | url = http://ir.investorab.com/files/press/investor/investor-report-1999-03-31-en.pdf | publisher = Investor AB | title = Annual report | date = 31 March 1998 | access-date = 21 April 2012 | archive-date = 15 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190915204848/http://ir.investorab.com/files/press/investor/investor-report-1999-03-31-en.pdf | url-status = live }}.</ref> Following the sale of 50% of the car division Saab Automobile AB to General Motors, the main reason behind the merger with lorry manufacturer Scania-Vabis in 1968 had disappeared.

Also in 1995 Saab Military Aircraft and [[British Aerospace]] (now [[BAE Systems]]) formed the joint venture company Saab-BAe Gripen AB, to manufacture, market and support Gripen internationally. This co-operation was extended in 2001 with the formation of Gripen International for the same purpose.<ref>{{Citation | publisher = Swedecar | url = http://www.swedecar.com/saab_history.htm | title = History of Saab | access-date = 8 July 2008 | archive-date = 15 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180615053650/http://www.swedecar.com/saab_history.htm | url-status = dead }}.</ref> From 1998 until 2005, British Aerospace/BAE was the largest shareholder in Saab following its acquisition of a 35% stake from [[Investor AB]]. In January 2005, BAE Systems reduced its shareholding to 20%. Investor AB maintained a 20% share.

On 16 November 1999, Saab announced its intention is to purchase Celsius AB and the acquisition was concluded by early March 2000.<ref>{{Citation| publisher = Saab| url = http://www.saabgroup.com/en/About-Saab/Newsroom/Press-releases--News/2000---1/Saab-has-acquired-further-shares-in-Celsius/| title = Saab has acquired further shares in Celsius| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150217120515/http://www.saabgroup.com/en/About-Saab/Newsroom/Press-releases--News/2000---1/Saab-has-acquired-further-shares-in-Celsius/| archive-date = 17 February 2015}}.</ref>

In September 2000 [[United Defense|United Defense Industries]] (UDI) purchased Bofors Weapon Systems from Saab (the [[autocannon]] and tube [[artillery]] interests), while Saab retained the [[missile]] interests.

In December 2005 Saab joined the [[Dassault nEUROn]] project as a major partner.

In October 2008 the company announced its intention to merge its operations with that of [[Simrad Optronics]]. The new unit will develop high-tech [[optronics]] products and will be headquartered in Norway, although other details of the new arrangement have not been finalized.<ref>{{Citation | journal = [[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] | volume = 169 | number = 17 | title = New Kid on the Block | page = 16}}.</ref>

In 2010 the company restructured from fifteen business units into five business areas; Aeronautics, Dynamics, Electronic Defence Systems, Security and Defence Solutions, and Support and Services. According to Saab the restructuring was undertaken to become more market and customer oriented.<ref name = "Saabgroup.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.saabgroup.com/en/about-saab/newsroom/press-releases--news/2009---9/saab-presents-new-operating-and-management-structure/ |title= Saab presents new operating and management structure |publisher= Saab |date= 9 September 2009 |access-date= 3 August 2010 |archive-date= 17 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110717064945/http://www.saabgroup.com/en/about-saab/newsroom/press-releases--news/2009---9/saab-presents-new-operating-and-management-structure/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

In March 2010, BAE Systems sold half of its 20% stake in the company to Investor AB, which then became the major shareholder.<ref>{{cite news |title=BAE Systems sells 10pc stake in Saab |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/7378771/BAE-Systems-sells-10pc-stake-in-Saab.html |access-date=16 July 2012 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=5 March 2010 |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915204915/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/7378771/BAE-Systems-sells-10pc-stake-in-Saab.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2011, the British company sold its remaining stake bringing its 16-year involvement in Saab to an end.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Doherty|first=John|title=BAE offloads Saab aerospace stake|url=http://www.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F6471d438-91e5-11e0-b8c1-00144feab49a.html|access-date=16 July 2012|newspaper=FT|date=8 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427221807/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6471d438-91e5-11e0-b8c1-00144feab49a.html|archive-date=27 April 2012}}</ref>

As of August 2020, Investor AB owns a 30.16% stake in the company (39.69% of the voting rights) and is the top owner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://saabgroup.com/investor-relations/the-share/ownership/|title=Ownership|website=Saab Corporate|language=en-US|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=29 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829211959/https://saabgroup.com/investor-relations/the-share/ownership/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2023, it was announced Saab had acquired the [[Bedford|Bedford, UK]]–based manufacturer of [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]-enabled autonomous swarm systems, Blue Bear Research Systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2023 |title=Saab acquires UK-based BlueBear Systems Group |url=https://defence-industry.eu/saab-acquires-uk-based-bluebear-systems-group/ |access-date=31 August 2023 |language=en |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831115327/https://defence-industry.eu/saab-acquires-uk-based-bluebear-systems-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2023, it was announced Saab had acquired the [[San Francisco]]–headquartered [[artificial intelligence]] / [[machine learning]] development company CrowdAI.<ref name="Demarest 2023 u043">{{cite web | last=Demarest | first=Colin | title=Sweden's Saab snags Silicon Valley-based CrowdAI | website=C4ISRNet | date=7 September 2023 | url=https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2023/09/07/swedens-saab-snags-silicon-valley-based-crowdai/ | access-date=11 September 2023 | archive-date=8 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908211314/https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2023/09/07/swedens-saab-snags-silicon-valley-based-crowdai/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Joshi |first=Ameet V. |title=Essential Concepts in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |date=2023 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12282-8_2 |work=Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence |pages=7–20 |access-date=11 September 2023 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-12282-8_2 |isbn=978-3-031-12281-1|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Aircraft production ===
The main focus of aircraft production is [[fighter aircraft]]. Saab has been making aircraft since the 1930s, and the jet predecessors of the [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen|JAS 39 Gripen]] were the [[Saab 29 Tunnan|Tunnan]], the [[Saab 32 Lansen|Lansen]], the [[Saab 35 Draken|Draken]] and the [[Saab 37 Viggen|Viggen]]. The last civilian models made by Saab were the [[Saab 340]] and [[Saab 2000]]. Both were mid-range [[turboprop]]-powered airliners. The development and the manufacturing of these aircraft is undertaken in Linköping.

In May 2019, Saab announced plans to locate a new U.S. manufacturing operation in Discovery Park District Aerospace on the west side of the [[Purdue University]] campus. The facility will do the final assembly of the [[T-X program|T-X]] advanced jet trainer, which is a plane developed by [[Boeing]] and Saab for the United States Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wlfi.com/content/news/Saab-and-Purdue-announce-plans-to-open-site-near-University-509638591.html|title=Saab announces plans to open next-generation fighter jet plant near Purdue University|website=WLFI News|language=en|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508173347/https://www.wlfi.com/content/news/Saab-and-Purdue-announce-plans-to-open-site-near-University-509638591.html|url-status=live}}</ref>