Boeing has successfully completed the first suite of synchronized UAS flight tests using new on-board autonomous command and control technology developed by Boeing Australia.

During the test flights, which were conducted at a regional Queensland airfield, five UAS test beds equipped with Boeing’s new on-board system safely completed “in-air programmed missions” as a team without input from a human pilot.

The milestone comes six months after the establishment of Boeing's largest international autonomous systems development program in Queensland.

“What we’ve created here in Australia has the potential to transform the use of unmanned vehicles for civil, commercial and defense applications – whether that be in the air, on the ground or out at sea,” says Shane Arnott, director of Boeing Phantom Works International.

“This capability will be a huge driver of efficiency and productivity. By safely teaming unmanned systems with human operated systems, we keep people away from dull, dirty and dangerous tasks so they can focus on activities that machines can’t or shouldn’t do.”

The rapid design, development and testing of this autonomous technology was largely driven by Boeing’s partnership with small and medium-sized enterprises. In just two months, Boeing engaged small-to-medium enterprises, and vetted and issued AU$2.3 million in contracts with more than a dozen Queensland businesses. 

In the upcoming months, the Boeing Australia team will incorporate and test more advanced behaviors on high-performance air vehicles, before looking into other domains such as unmanned ocean vehicles.