Boeing Airpower Teaming System

The Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), also known as the Boeing Loyal Wingman project, is a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle in development by Boeing Australia to perform autonomous missions using artificial intelligence.

Boeing Loyal Wingman
Airpower Teaming System
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
National origin Australia
Manufacturer Boeing Australia
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Design group Boeing Defence Australia[1]
First flight Early 2021 (planned)[2]
Status Under development
Primary user Royal Australian Air Force
Number built 3 prototypes

Development

The Loyal Wingman is an unmanned aircraft with an interchangeable nose cone which can be quickly interchanged with other modules for a new mission[3] and incorporates artificial intelligence. One role will be to support manned Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, such as the F-35A, F/A-18F, and E-7A with the purpose of defence and surveillance. The UAV will be designed to act as a "loyal wingman" that is controlled by a parent aircraft to accomplish tasks such as scouting or absorbing enemy fire if attacked.[1][4]

The aircraft will be the first combat aircraft designed and developed in Australia in over half a century.[5] Boeing has said that it will "depend on the market" whether the aircraft is manufactured in Queensland or the United States.[1] Boeing has confirmed that Queensland will house the final assembly facility.[6]

The Royal Australian Air Force plans to initially buy three Airpower Teaming System (ATS) systems, as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program (LWADP).[7] The three drones were built at an automated production line in Brisbane, Queensland. The production line is a proof of concept for full scale production.[3]

Unveiling

After a full-scale mockup was revealed at the 2019 Avalon Airshow, the first real aircraft achieved a power-on of its systems in March 2020, and was rolled out in May 2020 by Boeing Australia with the release of images showing a detailed prototype of the aircraft and a video to illustrate the drone's operational abilities. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation. 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.”

Testing

Boeing announced it powered up the engine of its first Airpower Teaming System (ATS) unmanned aircraft for the first time in September 2020. The engine test is part of ground testing to prepare for first flight before the end of the year.[8]

The Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) prototype moved under its own power for the first time in October 2020, conducting low-speed taxi tests at RAAF Base Amberley. [9]

High-speed taxi tests are currently being conducted at RAAF Base Woomera ahead of its anticipated first flight in early 2021.[10]

Specifications

Data from Loyal Wingman[11]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)

Performance

  • Range: 3,700 km (2,300 mi, 2,000 nmi)

References
  1. Pittaway, Nigel (27 February 2019). "Boeing unveils 'loyal wingman' drone". Defense News.
  2. "Boeing: Airpower Teaming System". www.boeing.com.
  3. Rogoway, Tyler. "Everything We Learned From Boeing About Its Potentially Game-Changing Loyal Wingman Drone". The Drive. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  4. "Boeing Will Unveil This 'Loyal Wingman' Combat Drone for Australias Air Force Tomorrow". The Drive.
  5. Greene, Andrew (27 February 2019). "First glimpse of combat drone set to join Australia's military arsenal". ABC News.
  6. "Queensland to house Loyal Wingman final assembly facility". 5 October 2020.
  7. "First RAAF Loyal Wingman unmanned combat system rolled out – ADBR".
  8. "Boeing ATS Loyal Wingman engine powers up – ADBR".
  9. "Boeing ATS conducts low-speed taxi tests".
  10. "Boeing ATS Loyal Wingman conducts high-speed taxi ahead of first flight".
  11. Pittaway, Nigel (April 2019). "Loyal Wingman". Air International. Vol. 96 no. 4. pp. 12–13. ISSN 0306-5634.
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