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
Designer Boeing Phantom Works[1]
First flight planned 2020[2]
Status Under development
Primary user Royal Australian Air Force
Number built 3 prototypes
Program cost Australian Government contributing $40 million[1]
Unit cost
$3-4 million[3]

Development

One role will be to support manned Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, such as the F-35, F/A-18E/F, and E-7A Wedgetail 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]

The Royal Australian Air Force plans to buy three drones, which Boeing calls the Airpower Teaming System (ATS), as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program. 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.[6]

The drone has an interchangeable nose piece which can be quickly interchanged with other modules for a new mission.[6]

Unveiled

The aircraft was previewed on 5 May 2020 by Boeing Australia with the release of images showing a detailed prototype of the aircraft and a video to illustrate the drones 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.” The Royal Australian Air Force plans to buy three ATS drones as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program (LWADP).

Specifications

The Loyal Wingman is fully artificially operated and does not rely on being piloted or controlled. The aircraft is 11.5 metres in length and can fly up to 3,700 kilometres.

Data from Loyal Wingman[7]

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. https://www.boeing.com/defense/airpower-teaming-system/
  3. Boeing Unveils Autonomous Fighter Jet, 'Loyal Wingman;
  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. Rogoway, Tyler. "Everything We Learned From Boeing About Its Potentially Game-Changing Loyal Wingman Drone". The Drive. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  7. Pittaway, Nigel (April 2019). "Loyal Wingman". Air International. Vol. 96 no. 4. pp. 12–13. ISSN 0306-5634.
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