Boeing to assemble unmanned Loyal Wingman in Queensland

Boeing (Chicago, Ill., U.S.) reported on Oct. 5 that it has developed a recent partnership with Queensland, Australia to design, engineer and manufacture its first Australian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This opportunity, says Boeing, will enable Queensland to take another step in aerospace and advanced manufacturing and strengthening its global defense market; it is said the UAV will be the first military aircraft produced in Australia in more than 50 years, a significant milestone, according to Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific President Brendan Nelson. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also notes that the new visionary partnership with Boeing Australia means more high-skilled jobs, local supply opportunities and defense industry stimulus as Queensland continues to recover and grow from the COVID-19 downturn.

“The creation of additional new aerospace capability could see unmanned defense aircraft produced here by the middle of the decade, with prototype testing and certification taking place before that,” the premier says. “We are carrying out our plan to recover and grow, including into new industries, and it’s very important that we do that not just as a government but with key partnerships.”

Palaszczuk notes that Queensland’s investment in the advanced manufacturing project will provide critical skills for suppliers, academia and Boeing, and culminate in Queensland becoming the primary final assembly facility for the Boeing Loyal Wingman project (also known as the Airpower Teaming System), conditional on orders.

“The unmanned teaming aircraft is Boeing’s first military aircraft to be designed and developed outside the U.S. and uses artificial intelligence [AI] to extend the capabilities of manned and unmanned platforms.” The first aircraft prototype, the Loyal Wingman, was unveiled with the Royal Australian Air Force in May this year.

Treasurer Cameron Dick says the Boeing partnership demonstrates the Palaszczuk government’s commitment to advanced manufacturing. “Manufacturing is a vital part of the Queensland economy, which is why supporting manufacturing is one of the centerpieces of our Unite and Recover Economic Recovery Plan,” the treasurer says. Furthering Queensland’s advanced manufacturing capabilities will include introducing technologies such as advanced robotics; investment in universities, small-to-medium enterprises and start-up companies; as well as creating global export opportunities for Australia’s supply chain.

Dick adds: “Our government’s longstanding commitment to advanced manufacturing is one of the reasons Queensland is already home to Boeing’s largest workforce outside the United States.” Boeing has 1,700 staff in Queensland and supports 400 Queensland-based suppliers.

“This investment could unlock global defense and aerospace opportunities for Queensland to gain future work share in other Boeing programs,” Nelson says.