In 2019, Boeing collaborated with The Walt Disney Company to create flying drone replicas modeled after the iconic X wing starfighters from the Star Wars franchise. The aircraft were developed as part of a promotional event celebrating the opening of the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Walt Disney World in Florida, where they performed aerial displays for visitors.
Rather than building full scale manned replicas, Boeing adapted two of its experimental cargo drones, known as CV2 Cargo Air Vehicles, by attaching lightweight outer shells shaped like the fictional starfighters. The drones were capable of vertical takeoff and hovering flight but lacked the speed and maneuverability associated with their cinematic counterparts. Special ultraviolet lighting was used during the demonstrations to conceal the drone structures while illuminating the X wing exteriors, creating the illusion of fully functional spacecraft.
The modified aircraft were not built to movie scale. Each drone had a wingspan of approximately 20 feet, significantly smaller than the starfighters depicted on screen. However, the flight altitude and lighting effects limited visible size references for spectators, allowing the replicas to appear larger during performances.
Following the promotional campaign, one of the modified drones was transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and is now exhibited at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. The display allows visitors to examine both the underlying drone platform and the decorative X wing shell without theatrical lighting effects.
Development of the CV2 Cargo Air Vehicle began in 2017 as part of Boeing’s research into autonomous aerial logistics systems. The platform was designed as a remotely piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft capable of transporting payloads of up to 500 pounds. Engineers used the vehicle as a test platform for evaluating autonomous flight controls, cargo transport concepts, and advanced propulsion configurations.
The drone later achieved a milestone in commercial aviation testing. Museum documentation describes it as the first large remotely piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft flown in support of a commercial operation in the United States. Its role in the Disney promotional flights therefore represented both a public demonstration and a technical validation exercise.
Boeing’s continued development of experimental drone technologies was later affected by broader corporate and industry challenges. Two fatal accidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019 led to a global grounding of the aircraft fleet and extensive regulatory reviews. The company subsequently faced financial and operational strain as it addressed safety modifications and production disruptions.
In 2020, the global slowdown in air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic further pressured the aerospace sector, contributing to internal restructuring. Boeing eventually closed its NeXt innovation division, which had overseen advanced mobility projects including the CV2 drone program.
The closure occurred amid rapid global growth in unmanned aerial technologies, particularly in logistics and defense applications. Autonomous drones are now increasingly used for commercial deliveries, infrastructure monitoring, and military research programs.
Although Boeing’s X wing drones were developed primarily for entertainment and demonstration purposes, the project illustrated how experimental aerospace platforms can be adapted for public engagement while also serving as research testbeds for emerging flight technologies.