Boeing unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman takes off

Developed by Boeing for the Australian Air Force, the promising unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman took off for the first time. As stated in a joint statement by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force, the first phase of flight tests was completed successfully.

The drone reportedly flew unaccompanied by a manned fighter, and was controlled from a ground station. The tests were carried out at the Voomera rocket and space test site in South Australia.

The Loyal Wingman project pioneers the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human machines

- said the results of the tests, Vice-Marshal of the Australian Air Force Kat Roberts.

Boeing is currently busy building additional flight prototypes. drone, their tests are scheduled for the end of this year. In total, according to the plans of the concern, three prototypes should participate in flight tests.

The unmanned wingman has a length of 11 meters, a wingspan of 11,7 meters and one jet engine. The design is modular, which allows you to change the payload depending on the task at hand. 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. As previously announced, one manned aircraft will be able to simultaneously control 16 unmanned wingmen.

Loyal Wingman is being developed under the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program for the benefit of the Australian Air Force.

Comments

[Victor_B]

Drones are the news by number one by now.
As soon as someone somewhere mentions something about them, so about it right away "... they are being carried to minds!"
Although - yes! The UAVs by their actions really deserve close attention to themselves!

[NDR-791]

Something divorced them. Is this the same as for the us air force only in a different livery? If there is something special, then I can only welcome - they will overstrain faster on spare parts and logistics

[Victor_B]

Quote: NDR-791

Is this the same as for the us air force only in a different livery?

So after

Developed by the Boeing concern

therefore they cut something of their own.
And if you like it, then the Pentagon may wish.

[NDR-791]

So I think, if something that did not go through a "competition" was shoved to the Australians, then this is a solid gut !!! If something happens - just disposable toys without the possibility of recovery. Something else should be slipped into the allys, but more, MORE !!!!

[Temples]

one manned aircraft will be able to simultaneously control 16 unmanned wingmen.

Will the pilot's head burst?
In order to use their own weapons, they take the second crew member.

On the Su-57, it seems like a computer will help the pilot.

But it is not realistic to control a pilot of 16 UAVs.

[OgnennyiKotik]

The unmanned wingman has a length of 11 meters, a wingspan of 11,7 meters and one jet engine.

Fake information. The dimensions of this UAV are: 11,7 meters in length, wingspan of 7,32 meters.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/loyal-wingman-unmanned-aircraft/
The nose of the aircraft can be reconfigured with a variety of sensor payloads to quickly perform suitable missions. It is 2,5m long and will offer a storage volume of over 1,5m3.

[Errr]

With your permission, in more detail from the same page https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/loyal-wingman-unmanned-aircraft/

The Loyal Wingman fuselage is made of composite materials using an advanced resin infusion process, resulting in a lighter and stronger platform. Digital engineering and advanced composite materials will further help achieve the goals of reducing the cost and increasing the maneuverability of this UAV.
The drone has a length of 11,7 m and a wingspan of 7,3 m. The drone will be able to fly at subsonic speeds and reach a range of more than 2000 nautical miles (over 3704 km).
The autonomous aircraft will be able to fly independently using artificial intelligence and will maintain a safe distance from manned aircraft. It will integrate with sensor packages that enable reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as tactical early warning missions.
The nose of the aircraft can be reconfigured with a variety of sensor payloads to quickly perform suitable missions. It is 2,5 m long and will have a storage volume of more than 1,5 m3.
The unmanned aircraft complex will be equipped with sensors that will be placed in replaceable modules. It enables manned aircraft to simultaneously conduct surveillance, navigation and tactical operations with modular Air Traffic Services (ATS) payloads aboard multiple drones.

[Ka-52]

As previously announced, one manned aircraft will be able to simultaneously control 16 unmanned wingmen.

rather set tasks. So control also means piloting.

[Ugochaves]

The Loyal Wingman project is a pioneer in integrating autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart man-machines

No "cyborg" is sawing they would have a license to the Ukrainians, they remember the noble "cyborgs" were

[tralflot1832]

As I understand it, a good trend is that the life of a pilot is priceless, everything is for his protection! This is good. But I want to add a fly in the ointment to this barrel of honey, in the light of new trends in the USA. someone will show preference for skin color? How would they miss this question!

[NDR-791]

And how will the wingmen be allocated to the pilots, white and black, equally?
The main thing is that all of them will pass the polygraph for the unconditional support of the Democratic Party. And so it doesn't matter who drives if it is a rear-wheel drive negro in a wheelchair

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

An unmanned wingman for a modern fighter jet is a very effective and dangerous weapon.

Such an unmanned aircraft / group of aircraft will be aimed at the target with a conventional fighter and attack it, while not risking living people.

If the United States implements this project, it will be able to attack any country relatively cheaply and with impunity, hack any air defense system.