First Loyal Wingman fuselage assembly complete
An Australian industry team has completed major fuselage structural assembly for the first Loyal Wingman, Boeing Australia announced on 10 February.
The aircraft is one of three prototypes that will be developed as a part of the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development programme in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force.
The 38ft (11.7m) aircraft is being designed to use artificial intelligence technology to team with other manned and unmanned platforms.
This first prototype will inform production of the Airpower Teaming System (ATS), which Boeing Australia is developing for the global defence market. Customers will be able to tailor ATS sensors and systems based on their own defence and industrial objective.
The Boeing Australian industry team includes BAE Systems Australia, RUAG Australia, Ferra Engineering and AME Systems.
The next major milestone will be weight on wheels, when the fuselage structure moves from the assembly jig to the aircraft’s own landing gear to continue systems installation and functional testing. The aircraft is expected to complete its first flight this year.
Shane Arnott, program director, Boeing ATS, said: ‘This is an exciting milestone for the development programme, and the Australian aerospace industry, as we progress with production of the first military aircraft to be developed in Australia in more than 50 years.’
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to collaborate on new UAV range]()
DSEI 2025: BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to collaborate on new UAV range
The uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) will start off in the electronic warfare space, according to the companies, to support existing crewed frontline platforms, with many major details still to be disclosed.
-
![DSEI 2025: MGI Engineering launches new deep strike OWE TigerShark]()
DSEI 2025: MGI Engineering launches new deep strike OWE TigerShark
The British-built long-range strike one-way effector (OWE) is the latest offering from the company, which demonstrated its smaller OWE SkyShark in July.
-
![DSEI 2025: MBDA’s new SPEAR GLIDE munition breaks cover]()
DSEI 2025: MBDA’s new SPEAR GLIDE munition breaks cover
The high-mass saturation weapon, positioned as a low-cost variant in the SPEAR portfolio, could be indigenously produced by any future customer, according to MBDA.
-
![How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success]()
How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success
With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.
