Page 14 - Australian Defence Magazine April 2019
P. 14

DEFENCE BUSINESS
AVALON
Unmanned and unmatched
EWEN LEVICK | AVALON
THERE were plenty of big names at Avalon – F-35s, Hornets, and a B-52 – that wowed onlookers with thunderous acrobatic dis- plays, in-flight refuelling demonstrations, and more.
Some of these aircraft are set to be in ser- vice for decades. Yet even as the first Aus- tralian F-35s make their Avalon debut, the number of unmanned platforms on show made these big names look like relics-in- waiting.
One reveal in particular cast a long shadow on the future of manned aircraft – Boeing’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ Airpower Teaming System (Project 6014 Phase 1), a semi-autonomous, possibly armed drone designed to fly and fight alongside F-35s and other aircraft, reducing the risk to manned platforms and acting as a force multiplier. Fully designed and developed in Australia, it is the largest investment Boeing has ever made in an unmanned platform outside the US.
According to Boeing, the system will provide ‘fighter-like performance’ and ‘dis- ruptive air superiority’ to protect Austra-
lia’s warplanes. It measures 11.7 metres in length and uses a “very light commercial jet engine” and AI to fly up to 2,000 nau- tical miles independently or in support of manned aircraft, with ISR and EW ca- pabilities on board. It is designed with air intakes on the side rather than the top, sug- gesting a design with manoeuvre in mind. Boeing would not comment on top speed or runway requirements, but did note that “it needs to keep up with who it flies with – we can’t slow down the platform we’re support- ing.” The option to equip weapons is ‘up to the customer’, although Boeing would not be drawn on further details.
14 | April 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au


































































































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