Page 42 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

Honouring 100 Years of the Royal Australian Air Force
O Partnering for the future of Australian airpower
n 27 March 1939, the first Wirraway air- the RAAF to evolve for the 21st century battlespace. craft manufactured for the RAAF by Boeing “Our in-country technological know-how, innovative heritage company Commonwealth Aircraft mindset and collaboration isn’t just harnessed on Loyal Corporation (CAC) took to the skies above Wingman,” said Scott Carpendale, Boeing Defence Aus-
Melbourne for the first time. tralia’s vice president and managing director. “It’s inherent
It was a milestone flight, not just because it was the first aircraft produced by CAC, but because it signaled the beginning of a long and proud partnership between Boeing and Australia’s Air Force.
Since that history-making event more than 80 years ago, Boeing has continued to partner with the RAAF, through an era of unrivalled technological advancements, to help redefine Australian airpower.
There is no more potent example of the importance of Boeing’s innovation and future focus, or its commitment to supporting the RAAF’s evolution, than the Loyal Wing- man, conceived through an intimate understanding of the RAAF’s future force needs and a dedication to developing disruptive technologies.
Designing, developing and manufacturing a semi-auton- omous aircraft using artificial intelligence to complement and extend airborne missions is ambitious for a country that hasn’t built a military aircraft in more than 50 years.
But the speed at which the research, development and prototyping phases were completed, and the aircraft’s successful inaugural flight earlier this year, demonstrates the expertise within Boeing’s Australian workforce, the strength of Australian industry and the resoluteness within
in our 2800+ local workforce, which includes many RAAF veterans, and all other Boeing-led defence programs, which are enhancing capability and supporting mission readiness of the Air Force’s frontline platforms and systems.”
Since 2015, the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetails have been undergoing the most far-reaching systems upgrade since their introduction into service in 2010 and one of the most complex aircraft upgrades ever undertaken in Australia.
The RAAF’s desire to establish a world-leading sovereign mission system capability has seen the majority of that de- velopment work performed in-country by Boeing Defence Australia with support from the global Boeing enterprise. The advanced software engineering workforce that has emerged is also supporting the UK Wedgetail program, demonstrating the importance and value of investing in local talent and technology, not just for Australia but for our allies.
ABOVE: The RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetails are currently undergoing the most far-reaching systems upgrade since their introduction into service, with the majority of development work being performed in-country by Boeing Defence Australia.
RIGHT: The Loyal Wingman, designed and developed in Australia with the RAAF, will complement and extend airborne missions.