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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.
Air Force Picks 3 Makers for ‘Skyborg’ Drone Wingman
The XQ-58A Valkyrie completed the third flight of the Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstration program Oct. 9, 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. (Air Force photo/Joshua Hoskins)
15 Dec 2020
The U.S. Air Force has selected three defense companies to produce unmanned aerial vehicle prototypes for its Skyborg program, which will pair a drone guided by artificial intelligence with a human piloting a fighter jet.
The service last week awarded contracts to Boeing Co., $25.7 million; General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, $14.3 million; and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, $37.8 million. Each will build a drone within a 24-month period, according to an Air Force release. The service did not specify how many prototype vehicles each company should produce and did not provide design specification criteria.