Aloyal wingman is a proposed type of unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and is capable of collaborating with the next generation of manned combat aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and bombers such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. Also unlike the conventional UCAV, the loyal wingman is expected to be capable of surviving on the battlefield but to be significantly lower-cost than a manned aircraft with similar capabilities. In the US, the concept is known as the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
The loyal wingman is a military drone with an onboard AI control system and capability to carry and deliver a significant military weapons load. The AI system is envisaged as being significantly lighter and lower-cost than a human pilot with their associated life support systems, but to offer comparable capability in flying the aircraft and in mission execution.[1]
Some concepts are based on a standardised aircraft deployed in two variants; one as a sixth-generation fighter with a human pilot and/or battle commander in the cockpit, and the other as a loyal wingman with an AI system substituted in the same location. BAE Systems envisage the Tempest to be capable of operating in either configuration.[2]
Another concept is to develop a shorter-range, and hence smaller and cheaper, wingman to be carried by the manned parent aircraft and air-launched when needed. The drone in turn carries its own munitions. This reduces the overall cost while maintaining protection for the manned aircraft on the battlefield.
The principal application is to elevate the role of human pilots to mission commanders, leaving AIs as "loyal wingmen" to operate under their tactical control as high-skill operators of relatively low-cost robotic craft.[3][4][5]
Loyal wingmen can perform other missions as well, as "a sensor, as a shooter, as a weapons carrier, as a cost reducer".[6][7]
A loyal wingman is expected to cost significantly less than a manned fighter, and will typically be considered vulnerable to attrition.[8] It would have sufficient intelligence and onboard defence systems to survive on the battlefield. The United States Secretary of the Air ForceFrank Kendall has described them as remotely controlled versions of targeting pods, electronic warfare pods or weapons carriers to provide additional sensors and munitions; to balance affordability and capability,[9][10]
The concept of the loyal wingman arose in the early 2000s and, since then, countries such as Australia, China, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US have been researching and developing the necessary design criteria and technologies.[1]
Boeing Australia is leading development of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat loyal wingman for the RAAF, with BAE Systems Australia providing much of the avionics.[11] The MQ-28 was first flown in 2021 and since then, at least 8 aircraft have been built.
China has been studying the loyal wingman concept since at least 2019 and has shown off some concept airframes. However, although China already manufactures drones and has well-developed swarming technology, the planned level of autonomy or even AI for these systems are not known.[12][13]
Japan announced a development programme for a loyal wingman drone in 2021, issuing the first round of funding in 2022.[15][16] The drone is intended to be carried for deployment by a proposed F-X fighter, also under development.[17]
Russian projects for wingman-class drones are thought to include the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik and the Kronshtadt Grom. However, although Russia already manufactured drones, the planned level of autonomy or even AI for these systems are not known.[18][19]
In addition to the production of the new generation fighter, KF-21, South Korea plans to develop several types of UCAVs as wingmen to team up with the manned fighter.[20][21]
The RAF in the UK has been developing the Loyal Wingman concept since 2015, with the Spirit Mosquito technology demonstrator flying in 2020. Programme funding was cancelled in June 2022 because the Ministry of Defence felt that it was better spent on less ambitious advances.[22]
The USAF Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program was initiated in 2014. It includes the development of CCA.[24][25] Up to five autonomous CCAs could operate with a manned fighter.[26]
The Skyborg programme, going back at least to 2019, is developing the systems to operate wingman drones alongside advanced manned fighters. Of four contenders, the most public is the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will test their Skyborg manned-unmanned programs such as Autonomous Air Combat Operations (AACO),[27] and DARPA will test its Air Combat Evolution (ACE) artificial intelligence program.[6][28] The System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS) software for human interface is being developed by Calspan.[28]
Two alternative autonomous AI systems have been installed in a General Dynamics X-62 VISTA at the Air Force Test Pilot School. The two systems flew the aircraft in turn, on 9 December 2022. By 16 December 2022 the X-62 Vista had flown eight sorties using ACE, and six sorties using AACO, at a rate of two sorties per day.[27]
The General Atomics Longshot is intended to be carried for deployment by the manned aircraft, and is air-launched when needed. This allows a shorter range for the drone, while maintaining advanced protection for the manned aircraft. DARPA adopted the General Dynamics design for its Longshot programme in 2022.[31]
In 2022 Heather Penney identified five key elements for the proactive development of autonomous CCA, remote pilots of UAVs and pilots flying separately in manned aircraft (also called crewed-uncrewed teaming, or manned-unmanned teaming).[32][33]
Create concepts that will maximize the strengths of both CCA and piloted aircraft working as a team.
Include operators in CCA development to ensure they understand how they will perform in the battlespace.
Warfighters must be able to depend on CCA autonomy.
Warfighters must have assured control over CCA in highly dynamic operations.
Human workloads must be manageable.
A typical CCA is estimated to cost between one-half and one-quarter as much as an $80 million F-35.[34] US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall is aiming for an initial fleet of 1,000 CCAs.[35]
