Soldiers Clamoring for RQ-7 Shadow Drone Replacement, General Says
Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division conduct flight tests and maneuvers at the FTUAS Rodeo on February 25-26, 2021 at Leyte West Airfield, Fort Benning, Georgia. (U.S. Army/Luke J. Allen)
3 Mar 2021
Senior Army aviation officials on Tuesday watched flight demonstrations of a handful of prototype drones built for vertical takeoffs and landings, which the service hopes will lead to a rapid replacement of the 30-year-old RQ-7B Shadow.
On a rainy day at Fort Benning, Georgia, soldiers from five brigade combat teams, or BCTs, across the Army participated in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System, or FTUAS, Rodeo. The event wrapped up months of field evaluations involving four UAS the Arcturus Jump 20, L3 Harris Unmanned Systems FVR-90, Martin UAV V-Bat, and Textron Systems Aerosonde Hybrid Quad.
Boeing s Drone Fighter Jet Sidekick Just Took Its First Flight
Test flight of the Boeing-built drone-jet hybrid prototype developed for the Royal Australian Air Force as part of its Loyal Wingman program. (Courtesy of Boeing)
2 Mar 2021
The Royal Australian Air Force s first Boeing-built, drone-jet hybrid prototype part of its Loyal Wingman program made its first test flight last week.
The company said Monday that it had held a series of taxi, takeoff and flight tests for the drone, which could someday play sidekick to fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, according to a news release. 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.