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.’