The Boeing Loyal Wingman during its first flight. (Photo: Boeing)
The new digitally engineered Boeing Loyal Wingman UAV went from design to the first flight in just three years.
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced on March 1, 2021, that the Loyal Wingman Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, known also as Airpower Teaming System (ATS) unmanned aircraft, has successfully flown for the first time. The test flight, which took place on February 27, was performed under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot monitoring the aircraft from a ground control station at the Woomera Range Complex, where the UAV has been relocated for the flight test campaign.
Department of Defence
Australia’s strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research will be on full display on the world stage next year when Defence hosts RobotX, an international autonomous maritime robotic vehicles competition.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Maritime RobotX will take place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith in November 2022.
Minister Price said the biennial event consisted of teams made up of students from multiple engineering disciplines from universities across the world.
“Through our international alliances, Australia and our partners are developing the next generation of robotics specialists,” Minister Price said.
“This competition enables students, academic institutions and industry partners to focus on the challenges of maritime autonomy – one of the fastest growing industrial pursuits of our time.