Boeing Australia rolls out first Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft prototype

Boeing Australia has rolled out the first prototype of its Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft system (UAS), with a company executive stating that production of the multimission platform could begin in the middle of the decade.

The presentation to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in a virtual ceremony held on 5 May involved the first of three prototypes for Australia’s Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program, which will also serve as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the global defence market.

The fighter-size Loyal Wingman is designed as a highly capable but affordable UAS to fly independently or in support of manned military aircraft.

Ground testing and taxiing of the prototype will be followed by first flight at an undisclosed location before the end of the year.

ATS programme director Shane Abbott told reporters that production could begin around the middle of the decade “possibly a little bit earlier”. Boeing is in active conversation “with a lot of folks” but any decision on where production will take place is some time away, he said.

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. Canberra has contributed up to AUD40 million (USD25.8 million) to the programme, alongside Boeing’s largest investment in an unmanned aircraft programme outside the United States.