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BAE Systems has revealed its ‘Loyal Wingman for Helicopters’ drone has completed its first test flight.
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First unveiled at Avalon 2023, the aerospace giant said STRIX completed its tests fully autonomously in Australia, with a remote pilot providing safety overwatch who was not required to intervene.
“STRIX has been uniquely designed to perform a range of autonomous missions independent of a runway, including air-to-ground strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” BAE Systems said.
“This will remove human crews from arduous or dangerous conditions and free up skilled personnel to focus on where they are needed most.
“It features composite aerostructures and a unique ‘tilt body’ configuration, developed through a collaboration between BAE Systems Australia and Perth-based SME, Innovaero.”
Loyal Wingman is the old project name for the Ghost Bat Boeing drone that will autonomously fly alongside crewed fighter jets, such as the F-35.
It’s the first military aircraft to be designed, engineered and built in Australia in more than 50 years and has been hailed by the US Air Force.
BAE Systems helicopter equivalent is designed to carry up to a 160kg payload over 800km while also being capable of operating in high-risk environments.
The platform incorporates a collapsed footprint of 2.6m x 4.5m and could be easily transported in a standard shipping container.
Meanwhile, its VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) capability means STRIX could be used without relying on an airfield, with the platform also able to operate from a helicopter.
“This program milestone highlights the ingenuity and capability of world-class Australian engineers and delivers on our proof of concept at rapid pace,” said Andrew Gresham, managing director of BAE Systems Australia’s Defence Delivery business unit.
“Major flight test objectives were achieved, including safe and autonomous control of an all-new VTOL aircraft configuration never flown before in the history of flight.”
