6 May 2020: In a historic milestone, Boeing led Australian industry team presented the first highly capable but extremely affordable unmanned aircraft 'Loyal Wingman' to the Royal Australian Air Force. This aircraft serves as the foundation of Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the global defence market.
"This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation," said the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia. "The Loyal Wingman will be pivotal to exploring the critical capabilities our Air Force needs to protect our nation and its allies into the future."
Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force said, "The rollout of the first aircraft was a significant milestone in the Boeing Loyal Wingman project. This project is an excellent example of innovation through collaboration and what can be achieved working together with defence industry. This demonstrates the importance of the relationship Air Force has with Boeing Australia and defence industry more broadly. I look forward to exploring the capabilities this aircraft may bring to our existing fleet in the future."
"We are proud to take this significant step forward with the Royal Australian Air Force and show the potential for smart unmanned teaming to serve as a force multiplier," said Kristin Robertson, vice president and general manager of Autonomous Systems for Boeing Defence, Space & Security. "We look forward to getting the aircraft into flight testing and proving out the unmanned teaming concept. We see global allies with those same mission needs, which is why this program is so important to advancing the development of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System."
The Loyal Wingman prototype now moves into ground testing, followed by taxi and first flight later this year.
Unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft:
- It uses artificial intelligence to extend the capabilities of manned and unmanned platforms.
- It is the first to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years.
- Boeing's largest investment in an unmanned aircraft outside of the United States.
- More than 35 members of Australian industry are supporting prototype work across four Australian states.
- The aircraft was engineered using a digital twin to model its structures, systems, capabilities and full life-cycle requirements.
- Manufactured with Boeing's largest-ever resin-infused single composite piece.
- Assembled using proven advanced manufacturing processes.
With a global market demand for highly capable but extremely affordable unmanned aircraft, Boeing applied company-wide innovation to achieve those goals.