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Reuters

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) said on Tuesday they had completed the first flight test on a pilotless fighter-like jet designed to operate in conjunction with crewed aircraft.
The “Loyal Wingman”, the first military aircraft to be designed and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years, flew under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot monitoring it from a ground control station in South Australia.
Boeing’s Loyal Wingman is 11.6 metres long (38 feet), has a 2,000 nautical mile (3,704km) range and a nose that can be removed to fit various payloads. It can carry weapons and act as a shield to help protect more expensive manned fighter jets.
The Australian government said on Tuesday it would invest a further A$115 million (US$89 million) to acquire three more aircraft to develop teaming tactics with crewed planes, on top of its initial investment of A$40 million.

Watch the first ever #LoyalWingman flight.

“A year ago this was a concept - now it’s a reality - it’s amazing to imagine and then create a new uncrewed aerial capability with our partner @BoeingAustralia. Designed & made right here in Australia!” AVM Cath Roberts. #AusAirForce pic.twitter.com/f5fUqRgpOC
— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) March 2, 2021

Boeing has said the system could be customised for other global customers.
Defence contractors are investing increasingly in autonomous technology as militaries around the world look for cheaper and safer ways to maximise their resources.
Britain in January signed a £30 million (US$42 million) contract with the Belfast unit of Spirit AeroSystems for a similar type of pilotless aircraft to have a trial flight in the next three years.
During the test flight in Australia, the Loyal Wingman took off under its own power before flying a predetermined route at different speeds and altitudes to verify its functionality and demonstrate the performance of the design.
The first Loyal Wingman is being used as a foundation for Boeing’s Airpower Teaming System, a service being developed for various global defence customers.
China’s high-speed, armed reconnaissance drone completes maiden flight
Boeing said additional Loyal Wingman aircraft are currently under development, with plans for teaming flights scheduled for later this year.
The plane maker has previously said up to 16 of the Loyal Wingman jets could be teamed with a crewed aircraft for missions.


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Boeing, Australia complete test flight for ‘Loyal Wingman’ pilotless fighter-like jet

A model of Boeing's pilotless, fighter-like jet, dubbed ‘Loyal Wingman', which has completed a test flight. Photo: Reuters

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A Chinese H-6K strategic bomber, viewed from a Russian jet during Tuesday’s joint patrol. Photo: AP

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Taiwan has grounded all of its F-16 fighters after one of them went missing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tsai ing-wen, president of Taiwan speaks to the press. The single-seated F-16A disappeared from the radar two minutes after taking off from an airbase in Hualien on the east coast of the island at 6.05pm Tuesday on a routine mission, according to the air force.Ê 18NOV20 Photo: CNA

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=== PHOTO CAPTURED ONLINE=== H-6 strategic bombers

News

Asia

Australasia


The pilotless military aircraft is being developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force
It can carry weapons and act as a shield to help protect more expensive manned fighter jets



The pilotless military aircraft, being developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force, can carry weapons and act as a shield to help protect fighter jets.


Aviation

Boeing

Defence

Boeing, Australia complete test flight for ‘Loyal Wingman’ pilotless fighter-like jet

The pilotless military aircraft is being developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force It can carry weapons and act as a shield to help protect more expensive manned fighter jets

The pilotless military aircraft is being developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force

It can carry weapons and act as a shield to help protect more expensive manned fighter jets