Inside Boeing’s just-unveiled autonomous tiltrotor concept

Boeing is exploring a Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft (CxR) — a modular, unmanned tiltrotor concept that can meet a wide range of current and future military unmanned aircraft system (UAS) missions.

Why it matters: The U.S. Army has stated that the future of warfare will include a combination of manned and unmanned platforms that team together in combat.

• Boeing’s CxR would team with proven Boeing-built Chinook and Apache helicopters as well as other aircraft across the U.S. Department of War and allied forces.

Boeing’s Collaborative Combat Rotorcraft (CCR) is one adaptation of Boeing’s Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft (CxR) — a modular, unmanned, multimission autonomous tiltrotor concept. This video features no sound or narration. (© Boeing)

Driving the news: Boeing unveiled its CxR concept at the Association of the United States Army annual trade show.

How it works: CxR has a modular core that can meet a range of UAS missions — from attack, security, and Recon Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RTSA), to contested logistics and maritime strike.

• The “x” in CxR stands for ‘transformational’ and represents the vast number of missions that the core system can adapt to — such as a Collaborative Combat Rotorcraft, which can perform as an AH-64 Apache’s “loyal wingman,” or as a Collaborative Logistics Rotorcraft in partnership with a Chinook.
• CxR is “expeditionary” — it can be organized quickly and sent to austere, or difficult, locations and can operate for a period without extensive outside support. That’s important because it moves the aircraft to or around the theater rapidly and efficiently.
• CxR will have flexible payloads which includes advanced sensors, launched effects, munitions and electronic warfare equipment.

What’s next: Boeing is optimizing the concept and configuration, focusing on the fastest delivery timeline while keeping down cost.

The bottom line: “The unique advantages of a modular, tiltrotor concept can provide our customers with a proven high-speed vertical takeoff and landing option that also maintains the low-speed handling qualities that are comparable to a helicopter,” said Chris Speights, Boeing’s vertical lift chief engineer. “Our CxR concept has the potential to meet any number of mission requirements across all the service branches.”