WATCH: Loyal Wingman makes first flight

Air

02 March 2021

By: Liam Garman

Boeing’s Loyal Wingman has undertaken its first test flight, Boeing has confirmed.

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Boeing’s Loyal Wingman – the Airpower Teaming System – has undertaken its maiden flight, marking the success of Australia’s first locally constructed defence aircraft in over 50 years.

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The successful flight comes following $115 million in development funding from the RAAF, and will bring together some 35 Australian industry partners. The Loyal Wingman is expected to provide support to critical defence air assets, following clearance from the testing phase.

The Loyal Wingman executed the flight on 27 February, with support from a pilot at Woomera.

“The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long-term, significant project for the Air Force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the successful test,” said Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, Head of Air Force Capability for the RAAF.

Leanne Caret, president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security and CEO, noted, “Boeing and Australia are pioneering fully integrated combat operations by crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

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“We’re honoured to be opening this part of aviation’s future with the Royal Australian Air Force, and we look forward to showing others how they also could benefit from our loyal wingman capabilities.”

Liam Garman

Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Liam began his career as a speech writer at New South Wales Parliament before working for world leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Strategy and Security with Excellence from UNSW Canberra, with a thesis on post-truth, postmodernism and disinformation operations.

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