Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) - MQ-28A Ghost Bat

[Sundog]

The article doesn't seem any more official than the other sources that links Bird of Prey to the YF-118G designation. It's been around in unofficial sources for years but I'm not sure where it came from.

Thanks, that's the first I had seen the connection. It would be nice if we could get some confirmation, but I'm sure the USAF can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an YF-118G.

 

[GTX]

Andrew had the support of Boeing on this article and did months of research so I would have confidence in its content.

 

[TomS]

Andrew had the support of Boeing on this article and did months of research so I would have confidence in its content.

I'm sure he did, and the work shows. Boeing have clearly provided a lot of insight into ATS, which is very informative.

My only quibble is whether the one reference to Bird of Prey as YF-118G was in fact checked by Boeing. Possibly they did, but it's probably not "official" confirmation of the designation.

 

[Grey Havoc]

The Wall Street Journal article that originally broke the story: https://www.wsj.com/articles/australian-military-boeing-join-forces-on-new-loyal-wingman-combat-drone-11551248899

 

[flateric]

The Wall Street Journal article that originally broke the story: https://www.wsj.com/articles/australian-military-boeing-join-forces-on-new-loyal-wingman-combat-drone-11551248899

I doubt that WSJ 'originally broke the story' because it was ABC who did the first exclusive on Feb.26

 

[Grey Havoc]

I stand corrected.

 

[flateric]

 

[VTOLicious]

Boeing ramps up testing ahead of Loyal Wingman first flight

Boeing ramps up testing ahead of Loyal Wingman first flight | ADBR

Boeing Australia has started ramping up testing of its autonomous systems technology in preparation for the first flight of its Advanced teaming Systems (ATS) Loyal Wingman unmanned system in 2020.…

adbr.com.au

 

[Mark Nankivil]

That looks like a Phantom Works R/C Flying Club for the employees! There are turbine powered models at the local club fields as big or bigger than those.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[coanda]

Those are turbine RC models I think.

 

[bobbymike]

Competition

Stealthy UAS Unveiled For USAF Target, Loyal Wingman Needs | Aviation Week Network

First flight of Sierra Technical Services' Fifth Generation Aerial Target (5GAT) is scheduled for early 2020.

aviationweek.com

 

[red admiral]

Competition

Stealthy UAS Unveiled For USAF Target, Loyal Wingman Needs | Aviation Week Network

First flight of Sierra Technical Services' Fifth Generation Aerial Target (5GAT) is scheduled for early 2020.

aviationweek.com

It's not really the same though. No payload, probably much less range. This is more like a big model aircraft - TBD how big it is - 2xJ85s?

 

[VTOLicious]

Is *stealthy* something like HD ready?

 

[coanda]

There's a comment on the article asking if the 5GAT design is the same as the result of a design project carried out by USAF Academy students in 2018.

Also...stealth?!

 

[bring_it_on]

No. AIAA has a series of papers covering the design of the 5GAT and the various efforts aimed at it. I think they've been posted here before.

 

[VTOLicious]

Wow, good pace ...
Boeing Australia completes first ‘loyal wingman’ fuselage:

Janes | Latest defence and security news

Janes | The latest defence and security news from Janes - the trusted source for defence intelligence

www.janes.com

 

[red admiral]

Still bolting aluminium together and bolting composite skins on top?

 

[VTOLicious]

Interesting article published by the Royal Aeronautical Society

Loyal wingmen and loyal packs - Royal Aeronautical Society

EDWARD HUNT looks at the growing interest among air forces in the Loyal Wingman concept of operating crewed military aircraft in conjunction with UCAVs and other unmanned systems.

www.aerosociety.com

 

[VTOLicious]

Some progress...
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...drone-for-australia-as-it-rapidly-takes-shape

 

[Flyaway]

https://www.boeing.com.au/news/releases/2020/april/boeings-loyal-wingman-program-achieves-weight-on-wheels-milestone.page.page?

 

[VTOLicious]

I had a look at the ATS website and was wondering that they don't mention anything about strike capabilities or carrying weapons...

" Integrate sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, tactical early warning missions and more."

Edit: Considering its length (11,7m) I wouldn't expect a whole lot of internal volume for weapon bays available... Btw, Boeing's T-7A is 14,15m in length

 

[RavenOne]

Boeing just released this video

 

[rooster]

I had a look at the ATS website and was wondering that they don't mention anything about strike capabilities or carrying weapons...

" Integrate sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, tactical early warning missions and more."

Edit: Considering its length (11,7m) I wouldn't expect a whole lot of internal volume for weapon bays available... Btw, Boeing's T-7A is 14,15m in length

Missiles like Cuda look like 4 could be fit ( someplace). Love the concept as a force multiplier but it doesn't look like an all out stealth design but more like a reduced oberservable aircraft.

 

[VTOLicious]

AW: Boeing Rolls Out ATS UAV, Heads Toward Loyal Wingman Demo
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/boeing-rolls-out-ats-uav-heads-toward-loyal-wingman-demo

 

[Flyaway]

AW article:

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/boeing-rolls-out-ats-uav-heads-toward-loyal-wingman-demo

 

[shin_getter]

What kind of sensor architecture would fit concepts of this scale? Does one even bother with high performance radar on a platform this disposable?

 

[rooster]

What kind of sensor architecture would fit concepts of this scale? Does one even bother with high performance radar on a platform this disposable?

Disposable? How much do they cost?

 

[shin_getter]

No number have been released, internet guess range from $2~15mil and a lot of what boeing is talking about is low cost manufacturing.

 

[TomcatViP]

Low cost and probably ITAR free (or relaxed regulation)... This is going to hurt some in Europe requesting billions for the design of similar concepts.

 

[rooster]

About the missile question, what would be the point if it didn't carry at least 2 inside? Seems like an expensive decoy if there are no aams.

 

[Dragon029]

It currently doesn't have a weapon bay, but that doesn't necessarily mean it can't get one in the future. Besides that though, it's not just meant to be decoy, but a sensor platform and jammer (and not just a self-propelled ALE-55 at that); the modular nose cones do have quite a lot of volume. While I absolutely don't see this happening, you could even put a couple of AIM-9Xs into that nose if you're okay with having the last 20% of the missile sticking out, or if you're okay with stretching the nose a little further (weight and balance permitting).

 

[datafuser]

A similar idea 45 years ago (BGM-34C in 1975).

 

[Flyaway]

Loyal Wingman breaks cover - Australian Defence Magazine

Boeing Defence Australia’s secretive Airpower Teaming System (ATS), more commonly known as Loyal Wingman, has been spotted by local sources out in the open in the past week.

www.australiandefence.com.au

 

[aonestudio]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEWU5wIlo6U

 

[aonestudio]

Reaching a maximum speed of 14 knots (approximately 16 mph, or 26 kilometers per hour), on the ground, the aircraft demonstrated several activities while maneuvering and stopping on command.

“The low-speed taxi enabled us to verify the function and integration of the aircraft systems, including steering, braking and engine controls, with the aircraft in motion,” said Paul Ryder, Boeing Australia Flight Test manager.

Three Loyal Wingman prototypes will be the foundation for the Airpower Teaming System that Boeing will offer customers worldwide.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqjQC1F0zHY

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1319082448580452352

View: https://twitter.com/Boeing/status/1319082448580452352

Boeing’s Australian Unmanned Aircraft Completes First Taxi

AUSTRALIA, October 22, 2020 – The Boeing Loyal Wingman aircraft being developed with the Royal Australian Air Force recently moved under its own power for the first time, a key...

boeing.mediaroom.com

 

[bobbymike]

37 years ago a little appreciated Chevy Chase comedy Deal of the Century saw the future of unmanned dogfighters.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3FtaM8qflrs

 

[Flyaway]

First flight delayed to early 2021 due to the pandemic.

Boeing Australia pushes ‘loyal wingman’ maiden flight to 2021

The Boeing Australia Airpower Teaming System loyal wingman aircraft is moving closer to its maiden flight after completing its first high-speed taxi test.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[sferrin]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1340794757677649922

View: https://twitter.com/BoeingAustralia/status/1340794757677649922

 

[GTX]

“a remote test location in Australia” looks like Woomera. would make sense given its an instrumented weapons test range well away from just about everyone.

 

[TomcatViP]

Anyone understand what the guy is doing at 00:07 (bolting screw on the skin)?