
On February 27 the Australian defense minister, Christopher Pyne, unveiled a model of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) unmanned combat air vehicle. The ceremony took place at Avalon, near Melbourne, during the Australian International Airshow. ATS is a program to develop a UAV that can fly as part of a MUM-T (manned/unmanned team) formation with manned fighters. It is also intended for independent operations or in formations of UAVs, and can also act as a fighter escort for high-value assets such as airborne early warning aircraft.
“The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide a disruptive advantage for allied forces’ manned/unmanned missions,” said Kristin Robertson, vice president and general manager of Boeing Autonomous Systems. “With its ability to reconfigure quickly and perform different types of missions in tandem with other aircraft, our newest addition to Boeing’s portfolio will truly be a force multiplier as it protects and projects air power.”