Boeing has introduced its new autonomous tiltrotor drone concept, designed to serve as a loyal wingman to US military aircraft in future air combat and support missions. The advanced platform, known as the Collaborative Combat Rotorcraft (CxR), highlights Boeing’s expanding focus on unmanned systems capable of operating independently or alongside manned platforms.
According to Boeing, the CxR concept is being engineered to fulfill a variety of mission profiles, ranging from logistical resupply and reconnaissance to maritime strike and armed escort operations. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, combined with fixed-wing-level speed and range, aims to provide unprecedented flexibility for both land-based and naval forces.
The CxR tiltrotor is expected to achieve a top speed of around 250 knots (288 miles or 463 kilometers per hour) while carrying up to 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) of payload. This makes it one of the most capable unmanned vertical lift concepts currently under development, bridging the gap between helicopters and high-speed drones.
Boeing’s introduction of the CxR reflects a broader Pentagon initiative to integrate autonomous “wingmen” that can team with piloted aircraft, enhancing mission survivability, responsiveness, and strike reach. The concept is expected to complement other emerging platforms under the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, further redefining the future of unmanned aerial warfare.
