Boeing has introduced the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, which is the company’s newest unmanned platform.

According to Boeing, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System is the company's largest investment in a new unmanned aircraft program outside the United States, as the platform was designed by Boeing Australia for global customers.

Boeing says that the unmanned platform will have a number of capabilities. Measuring 38 feet long, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide fighter-like performance, as it will be able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles.

The UAS will also be able to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and electronic warfare, thanks to the integration of sensor packages onboard. Additionally, the UAS will be able to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft by using artificial intelligence.

“This aircraft is a historic endeavor for Boeing. Not only is it developed outside the United States, it is also designed so that our global customers can integrate local content to meet their country-specific requirements,” explains Marc Allen, president, Boeing International.

“The Boeing Airpower Teaming System provides a transformational capability in terms of defense, and our customers – led by Australia – effectively become partners on the program with the ability to grow their own sovereign capabilities to support it, including a high-tech workforce.”

During the Australian International Airshow, a model of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System was unveiled.

As a research and development activity, the Australian Government and Boeing will produce a concept demonstrator called the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program, which will be used to provide important learnings toward the production of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System.

“The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide a disruptive advantage for allied forces’ manned/unmanned missions,” says Kristin Robertson, vice president and general manager of Boeing Autonomous Systems.

“With its ability to reconfigure quickly and perform different types of missions in tandem with other aircraft, our newest addition to Boeing’s portfolio will truly be a force multiplier as it protects and projects air power.”

The first flight of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System is expected to take place in 2020.