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The US Navy and Boeing announced Monday they had flown two fighter jets in exercises under the control of a third jet nearby, proving that multiple pilotless combat missions can be run from a separate aircraft.<\/p>\n
In experimental tests late last year at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station southeast of Washington, the Navy and Boeing sent two EA-18G Growlers through 21 distinct missions during four flights, with each aircraft being controlled from a third EA-16 nearby.<\/p>\n
The two \u201cunmanned\u201d or \u201csurrogate\u201d Growlers did have backup pilots in them for safety, but otherwise flew as if the pilot\u2019s seat was empty, while someone in the third plane maneuvered them remotely.<\/p>\n
The flights \u201cproved the effectiveness of technology allowing F\/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers to perform combat missions with unmanned systems,\u201d Boeing said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The EA-16 is a specialized electronic warfare aircraft used to challenge enemy radar and jamming communications, mostly flown from aircraft carriers.<\/p>\n
It is adapted from the F\/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, used by the Navy and armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis technology allows the Navy to extend the reach of sensors while keeping manned aircraft out of harm\u2019s way,\u201d said Tom Brandt of Boeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could provide synergy with other US Navy unmanned systems in development across the spectrum and in other services.\u201d<\/p>\n