Boeing Unveils First ‘Loyal Wingman’ AI Aircraft

Boeing has presented the first unmanned "Loyal Wingman" aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force. This aircraft is a drone equipped with AI and is designed to fly in coordination with crewed military airplanes.

The new aircraft was designed and manufactured in Australia to be Boing's largest investment in a UAV outside of the US. It uses artificial intelligence to extend the capabilities of manned and unmanned platforms.

"Loyal Wingman" was engineered using a digital twin to model its structures, systems, capabilities and full life-cycle requirements; manufactured with Boeing’s resin-infused single composite piece; and assembled using an advanced manufacturing processes.

The press release published by Boing said that as the first of three prototypes for Australia’s Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program, the aircraft also serves as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed for the global defense market.

The Loyal Wingman prototype now moves into ground testing, followed by taxi and first flight later this year.

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