Mar 1, 2021
Boeing Tests Pilotless Combat Jet in Australia’s Outback
Bloomberg News
,(Bloomberg) -- Boeing Co. and Australia’s air force carried out a test flight of an unmanned fighter-like aircraft designed to team up with crewed planes in combat.
The Loyal Wingman plane was flown at various speeds and altitudes by a pilot at a ground-control station in the South Australian Outback, Boeing said in a statement.
More flights are planned for later this year. The autonomous aircraft can be fitted with a variety of payloads and sensors depending on the mission, according to Boeing.
“Boeing and Australia are pioneering fully integrated combat operations by crewed and uncrewed aircraft,” Boeing Defense, Space & Security President Leanne Caret said in the statement.
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