BAE Systems has showcased mock-ups of unmanned ‘loyal wingman' concepts it is working on to meet UK requirements. The RAF has designated 216 Sqn as the unit that will help introduce this capability into operational service. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The UK Royal Air Force's (RAF's) 216 Squadron will lead the service's effort to field an unmanned ‘loyal wingman' capability over the coming years.
The disclosure came as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Luke Pollard said that 216 Sqn at RAF Waddington will transition from its current role as the swarming drone trials unit for the UK (that role will pass to 744 Naval Air Squadron as the Joint Uncrewed Air System Test and Evaluation Squadron).
“216 Squadron is intended to become the operational delivery squadron for an Autonomous Collaborative Platforms [ACP] capability in 2025,” Pollard said.
With the minister's disclosure, Janes understands that the ACPs (the official nomenclature for ‘loyal wingman' in UK defence jargon) will be delivered in a different way to the majority of RAF capabilities, with more overlap between test and evaluation and frontline squadrons. As such, 216 Sqn will initially be a blend of a test and evaluation and more traditional frontline squadron as the capability transitions from a research and development to an operational footing.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) declined to divulge to Janes the precise details of the proposed ACP capability being considered at this time.
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