Ground tests of the unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman began

Developed by Boeing for the Australian Air Force, the promising unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman made the first low-speed run down the runway. As stated in the message of the concern, the device is being prepared for flight tests.

Boeing specialists, during low-speed runs, at which speed did not exceed 26 km / h, conducted an initial check of the operation of the main systems of Loyal Wingman. The unit performed a series of track maneuvers to test the brakes, engine and steering system. The concern does not provide other details of the tests.

As previously reported, the first flight of the unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman should take place before the end of this year.

According to data published in open sources, the unmanned wingman has a length of 11 meters and a wingspan of 11,7 meters. It has one jet engine. The main design feature of the UAV can be called a modular principle: depending on the nature of the task, the device will be able to take on different loads. The declared range is 3700 kilometers. The drone must accompany the fighters as a wingman, while carrying additional weapons or other systems necessary to complete the mission.

The Loyal Wingman unmanned wingman is being developed as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program for the benefit of the Australian Air Force. Three flight prototypes will be involved in the tests. The tests themselves are being carried out at the Voomera rocket and space test site in South Australia.

Comments

[times]

The drone must accompany the fighters as a wingman, while carrying additional weapons or other systems necessary to complete the mission

A kind of "loaded trailer" for a fighter.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Not really. The slave will perform the main tasks. Emitter or full-fledged radar, electronic warfare, striking, false target. The main thing to exterminate remained in the shadows and entered the battle as a last resort.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Ali, are you? miss your comments, please write more

[voyaka uh]

Rather - a hound dog ahead of the hunter

[times]

Quote: voyaka uh

Rather - a hound dog ahead of the hunter

In principle, one does not interfere with the other. Is accepted

[ZEMCH]

Quote: voyaka uh

Rather - a hound dog ahead of the hunter

It seems to me that even the Americans would not have given a more precise definition of their project

[grandfather_Kostya]

A kind of "loaded trailer" for a fighter.

And, for simplicity, an apparently low-speed subsonic. The fighter will have to adjust to the speed of its convoy so that it does not stand out from the crowd on the radar.

[Alexey-74]

Will be developed to break through enemy air defense

[Thrifty]

Editors, return Australia one letter "and" in the title, in the country name! Today on the site the topic of the day is drones, and everything connected with them? ??

[pereselenec]

I wonder if we have analogues?

[Dart]

our analog has already been flying in pairs for a year ... it is not yet known who is whose analog theirs ours, most likely
"On September 27, 2019, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported to the media about the first joint flight of the Okhotnik and the Su-57 fighter, which lasted more than 30 minutes. The unmanned aerial vehicle flew in an automated mode, the interaction between the Okhotnik and the leading aircraft was being worked out to expand the radar field fighter and target designation for the use of long-range aviation weapons without the Su-57 entering the zone of conditional anti-air defense "

[to bite]

I don't understand, but who is threatening Australia in general, China? They are armed very specifically .. Or will the bunkers of the rich protect in case of a global war?
Australia is getting pretty aggressive .. This is all strange

[The eye of the crying]

Quote: morder

I don't understand, but who is threatening Australia in general, China?

Indonesia too.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: morder

who threatens Australia at all, China?

Yes, China first. Its first-largest navy in the world is annoying a lot of people in that region.

[Gunther]

Quote: voyaka uh

Rather - a hound dog ahead of the hunter

then the speed of the dog should be no less than that of the hunter

[Gunther]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

Quote: morder

who threatens Australia at all, China?

Yes, China first. Its first-largest navy in the world is annoying a lot of people in that region.

The declared range is 3700 kilometers, one can proceed from the combat radius.
The question is how the unmanned aircraft will be controlled in a collision of a group, for example, with a Shenyan J-11, in the area of ​​its air defense.