Maiden Flight of Boeing Loyal Wingman Uncrewed Aircraft

Successful test progresses Royal Australian Air Force’s teaming aircraft program

AUSTRALIA, March 1, 2021 – Boeing [NYSE:BA] Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed the first test flight of the Loyal Wingman uncrewed aircraft.

The flight of the first military aircraft to be designed and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years flew under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot monitoring the aircraft from a ground control station at the Woomera Range Complex.

“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, RAAF Head of Air Force Capability. “The Loyal Wingman project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence to create smart human-machine teams.

“Through this project we are learning how to integrate these new capabilities to complement and extend air combat and other missions,” she said.

Following a series of taxi tests validating ground handling, navigation and control, and pilot interface, the aircraft completed a successful takeoff under its own power before flying a pre-determined route at different speeds and altitudes to verify flight functionality and demonstrate the performance of the Airpower Teaming System design.

“Boeing and Australia are pioneering fully integrated combat operations by crewed and uncrewed aircraft,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Leanne Caret. “We’re honored to be opening this part of aviation’s future with the Royal Australian Air Force, and we look forward to showing others how they also could benefit from our loyal wingman capabilities.”

With support from more than 35 Australian industry teams and leveraging Boeing’s innovative processes, including model-based engineering techniques, such as a digital twin to digitally flight-test missions, the team was able to manufacture the aircraft from design to flight in three years.

This first Loyal Wingman aircraft is serving as the foundation for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System being developed for various global defense customers. The aircraft will fly alongside other platforms, using artificial intelligence to team with existing crewed and uncrewed assets to complement mission capabilities.

Additional Loyal Wingman aircraft are currently under development, with plans for teaming flights scheduled for later this year.

Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 IFV in Australian Army colors

 Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 IFV Lynx has received the Australian Army coat of paint. The IFV arrived in Australia in early october and starting trials for "LAND-400 Phase-3" program of the Australian Army.

Rheinmetall has officially unveiled the first of three Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles designed, developed and manufactured for the Commonwealth of Australia’s $18.1 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 program.

The KF41 Lynx is an IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) in the Lynx family of a tracked armored vehicle designed, developed and manufactured by the German Company Rheinmetall Defence. This vehicle is a longer version than the KF31 IFV unveiled in September 2016, 7.22 m for the KF31 and 7.7m for the KF41. It also has a more powerful engine and weighs 10 more tons than KF31. The KF41 was unveiled in June 2018 at Eurosatory 2018 in two configurations: IFV and Command Post. The KF41 has been designed to offer a new generation of tracked armored offering modularity and a high level of protection. The feature at the heart of the KF41 Lynx design concept is the separation and modularity of the vehicle into two primary parts: the basic vehicle and specialist mission and role equipment. Specific variants can be built around a common hull and common mobility assemblies and protection components, to which role and mission-specific equipment can be added on an as required basis. This design approach combines the functional, cost and through life advantages of a modular structure, and the weight, space and cost advantages of integral hull design. German Company Rheinmetall has offered the Lynx to the Australian Defence Force for Phase 3 of the Land 400 program, as well to the Czech Republic to replace the old BVP-2, a Russian BMP-2 tracked armored IFV produced under license in the Czech Republic. Rheinmetall defence in collaboration with American Company Raytheon has also offered the KF41 Lynx to meet the U.S. Army's requirement for the NGCV (Next-Generation Combat Vehicle-Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle), a program to replace the Bradley IFV tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle. In March 2019, Rheinmetall Defence has lodged a bid in response to the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3 - Mounted Close Combat Capability Request For Tender (RFT) with its KF41 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) fitted with the Lance turret. In August 2020, Hungarian armed forces have signed an agreement with German Company Rheinmetall Defense to produce Lynx IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. On September 10, 2020, German Company Rheinmetall has announced the order of 218 Lynx KF41 tracked armored IFV for Hungary.