Pilot Takes Future Drone On First Flight

The prototype of the future Loyal Wingman uncrewed fighter flew for the first time last week with test pilot Brian Maisler twisting the knobs. The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California for the local flight and Maisler didn’t mention any hitches. "Today’s first flight was in a good jet with a great team," said Maisler. "This is the best part of my job. Thanks to everyone and their two years of hard work culminating in making this an uneventful and fun day."

Although the plane will eventually fly uncrewed in conjunction with crewed aircraft, the Vanguard is believed to be the test bed for basic aerodynamics and performance testing. It’s designed to be a low-cost and even expendable helper on combat missions where it can chip in to the fight with up to 2,000 pounds of weapons, up to and including two AIM 120 missiles. It has a range of 3,000 nm and endurance of six hours