AIRVENTURE 2021 ALSO IN QUESTION
To no one’s surprise, EAA cancelled this year’s AirVenture and there’s no guarantee the big show will go ahead in 2021, either. Chairman Jack Pelton said that there was no option to shutting down AirVenture this year even though it might have technically been legal to hold the show. Within days of the decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state government’s COVID-19 regulations limiting gathering sizes and other physical distancing but Pelton dismissed that as politics at work and said there was just no practical way to hold the event and keep everyone safe. As for 2021, that could turn on widespread immunity, a vaccine or a treatment.
“LOYAL WINGMAN” DRONE LAUNCHED
A big drone intended to work with manned aircraft in military operations has been developed by Boeing in Australia and is headed for operational testing. The team handed the prototype of the “Loyal Wingman” over to the Royal Australian Air Force in May and said the 38-foot aircraft is designed to “fly alongside existing platforms and use artificial intelligence to conduct teaming missions.” Ground testing begins shortly and the drone will fly before the end of the year. “We are proud to take this significant step forward with the Royal Australian Air Force and show the potential for smart unmanned teaming to serve as a force multiplier,” said Boeing Defense, Space & Security Vice President of Autonomous Systems, Kristin Robertson.
