Aerospace

Boeing Unveils Fighter Drone that Could Play Wingman to Manned Jets

Boeing Co. has unveiled a new concept for an unmanned fighter that would work autonomously alongside fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Dubbed the Airpower Teaming System, the drone-jet hybrid would be a multi-mission craft using artificial intelligence to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions to supply pilots with more information during a conflict, according to the company.

The aircraft, which Boeing is co-developing with the government of Australia for that country, was unveiled at the Avalon Airshow this week.

The jet is 38 feet long and can fly more than 2,000 nautical miles, the company said. It uses A.I. "to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft," according to its fact sheet.