A Boeing-led Australian industry team has presented the first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force, a historic milestone for the company and the Commonwealth.
The aircraft, which uses artificial intelligence to extend the capabilities of manned and unmanned platforms, is the first to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. It is Boeing’s largest investment in an unmanned aircraft outside of the United States.
As the first of three prototypes for Australia’s Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program, the aircraft also serves as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the global defense market.
“This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation,” said the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. “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,” said Air Marshal Hupfeld. “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.”
More than 35 members of Australian industry are supporting prototype work across four Australian states. With a global market demand for highly capable but extremely affordable unmanned aircraft, Boeing applied company-wide innovation to achieve those goals. 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; and assembled using proven advanced manufacturing processes.
“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 Defense, 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.
The first Embraer E190F, a jet converted from passenger transport to freighter (E-Freighter), successfully concluded its inaugural flight in São…
The Government of Greece officially announced its plans to purchase 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin…
Cathay Cargo resumed its Ho Chi Minh City freighter service on April 4, 2024, after a four-year hiatus due to…
Skykraft has secured approval from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for its spectrum filing for a constellation of 2976 satellites.…
The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has successfully conducted a historic Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with…
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $559 million over five years to operate, maintain…
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) introduced the ARBEL, hailed as the world’s first computerized small arms system, on Thursday (Apr. 4).…
Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) has integrated the H175 helicopter flight simulator developed by Indra into their training regimen.…
After a hiatus of over 30 years, Air Canada is set to return to Singapore's Changi International Airport with the…
FLY91, India's youngest regional airline, announced a partnership with IBS Software on Wednesday (Apr. 3). Aiming to enhance its commercial…
Malaysia Airlines announced its partnership with RECARO Aircraft Seating to equip its upcoming Airbus A330neo aircraft with the CL3810 economy…
Rolls-Royce announced that the company has begun flight testing its latest aero engine the Pearl 10X on its dedicated Boeing…
Avolon, a global aviation finance company, has agreed to sell and lease back four new Airbus A330neo aircraft with Cebu…
Malaysia Airlines and India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a codeshare partnership…
The Indonesian flag carrier airline, Garuda Indonesia, unveiled plans to expand its aircraft fleet with the procurement of eight new…
Belgian Defence has placed an order for six R7 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) from Exail. These unmanned underwater vehicles are…
Greenerwave, a deeptech start-up specialising in the control of electromagnetic waves, launched its first SATCOM user terminal after securing EUR15…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Aerotor Unmanned Systems have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining their collaboration in…
GE Aerospace officially launched as an independent public company on Tuesday (Apr. 2), marking an important milestone in the aviation…
Dassault Aviation has inaugurated a new ExecuJet Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aimed at enhancing…
France’s Naval Group and Indonesian state-owned shipyard PT PAL signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence in Jakarta…
Korean Air finalized a firm order for 33 aircraft, including 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s on Tuesday (Apr. 2). The…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) faces a setback as its new frigate program gets postponed due to a substantial cut…
Following a note exchange between Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in Tokyo in December…
Korean Air unveils new eco-friendly uniforms for maintenance, aerospace, cargo, and ground handling employees, to be rolled out from April…
Rheinmetall House in Bristol, UK, has officially opened as the new headquarters for Vehicle Systems International (VSI), following its recent…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) wishes to announce that it has agreed with Pratt and Whitney (PW) to exit from…
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has entered into a multi-year engine services agreement with Indian regional airline FLY91 for the…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed the maiden flight of the first Series Production Tejas Mk-1A light fighter (LA5033).…
Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence signed a 1.18-billion-euro contract for the supply of two Thaon di Revel-class Multipurpose…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.