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Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) carried out the first test flight of the aircraft, a jet powered drone that will use artificial intelligence to work alongside human pilots for both combat and reconnaissance missions.
The flight was completed under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot monitoring the aircraft from a ground control station at the Woomera Range Complex in South Australia. Following a series of taxi tests validating ground handling, navigation, control and pilot interface, the aircraft completed a successful take-off under its own power before flying a pre-determined route at different speeds and altitudes to verify flight functionality and demonstrate the performance of the ‘Airpower Teaming System’ design.
The aircraft is the first to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia for more than 50 years, Boeing said.
“The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long term, significant project for the Air Force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the successful test,” said air vice-marshal Cath Roberts from the RAAF.
“The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human-machine teams. Through this project we are learning how to integrate these new capabilities to complement and extend air combat and other missions.”
The aircraft was engineered using a digital twin to model its structures, systems, capabilities and full life-cycle requirements. It was manufactured with Boeing’s largest ever resin-infused single composite piece and assembled using advanced manufacturing processes.
Additional Loyal Wingman aircraft are currently under development, with plans for team flights scheduled for later this year.
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