// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Loyal Wingman
A loyal wingman is an unmanned, autonomous aircraft designed to fly alongside and support a manned fighter jet. It acts as a robotic teammate, helping with tasks like surveillance, electronic warfare, or even deploying weapons to protect the human pilot.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A loyal wingman is an autonomous or semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operating in a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) or Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) framework to augment a crewed combat aircraft. It functions as a force multiplier by extending sensor range, providing electronic warfare support, and deploying munitions, enhancing the survivability and lethality of the manned asset.
BACKGROUND
Manned-unmanned teaming refers to the collaborative operation of manned and unmanned systems, typically in military or aerospace contexts, to enhance mission effectiveness. It enables human operators to control, coordinate, or supervise autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms, such as drones or robotic systems, to improve situational awareness, reduce risk, and optimize performance in complex environments.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
- Autonomous Wingman
- Robotic Wingman
- Uncrewed Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) asset
- Skyborg
- AttritableONE
USAGE NOTE
This term describes a specific role within the broader concept of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) for future air combat operations.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Loyal Wingman.
Developer of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an uncrewed teaming aircraft designed in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. It is one of the most prominent examples of a loyal wingman platform currently in development and testing.
Creator of the XQ-58A Valkyrie, a low-cost, high-performance unmanned combat aerial vehicle. It was developed in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as a long-range, attritable strike drone to accompany manned fighters.
The primary research and development arm of the United States Air Force. AFRL has been instrumental in sponsoring and managing loyal wingman programs like Project Skyborg and the development of the XQ-58A Valkyrie, driving the core technology and concepts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
A major US defense contractor actively developing concepts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to team with its manned platforms like the F-35. The company is one of the vendors selected by the U.S. Air Force to move forward on the CCA program.
A leading aerospace and defense technology company heavily invested in autonomous systems. Northrop Grumman is developing its own solutions for the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program to create unmanned wingmen for next-generation air dominance.
Known for its Predator and Reaper drones, GA-ASI is developing a family of advanced unmanned aircraft called Gambit, designed for autonomous collaborative operations with manned aircraft, directly addressing the loyal wingman concept.
A defense technology company focused on AI and autonomous systems. Anduril is a prime contractor on the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, developing unmanned autonomous fighters intended to operate as loyal wingmen.
A British multinational defense and aerospace company. BAE Systems is a key partner in the UK's Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which includes the development of uncrewed 'adjunct' aircraft that will act as loyal wingmen for the crewed Tempest fighter jet.