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Focus: Boeing's Ghost Bat Signals Strategic Leap in Australian Air Force Technology.
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat project, developed by Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) in collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence, continues to demonstrate its strategic potential and importance for modern defense operations. This Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is designed to enhance the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) capabilities and has recently achieved significant milestones, cementing its role in both national and international defense strategies. According to Australian Defence Magazine, part of its production is expected to conclude by late 2025.
Originally named the Airpower Teaming System, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous combat drone designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft (Picture source: Australian MoD)
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is manufactured at Boeing’s Fishermans Bend facility in Victoria, where the production of three additional Block 2 aircraft is underway. These will complement the eight prototypes already built, with completion planned by the end of 2025. An image released by Boeing highlights the fourth and fifth prototypes, showcasing the program's progress. Glen Ferguson, the global director of the MQ-28 program at Boeing, noted that these aircraft represent a significant advancement in operational capability development, with the company aiming to deliver full operational capability to the RAAF in the near future.
Originally named the Airpower Teaming System, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous combat drone designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft. It incorporates artificial intelligence to carry out missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and potentially combat operations. Measuring 11.7 meters in length with a wingspan of 7.3 meters, it has a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, enabling effective operations over vast distances.
Advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotics and composite materials, are used at Fishermans Bend to optimize production. Innovations such as robotic drilling, shimless assembly, and full-size determinant assembly have significantly reduced manufacturing costs compared to traditional methods. The Ghost Bat has achieved major developmental milestones, with several prototypes built and flight testing ongoing since February 2021. Despite challenges, such as being excluded from the US Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program, Australia continues to invest in the platform, recognizing its potential as a force multiplier and a key component of national defense strategies.
In February 2024, the Australian government reinforced its commitment to the program by allocating an additional AUD 399 million (USD 258.8 million) for further development, including the production of three Block 2 aircraft. Boeing is contracted to produce 10 Block 1 drones for the RAAF as part of the Loyal Wingman-Advanced Development program, a joint initiative aimed at enhancing Australia’s strategic defense capabilities. This partnership is seen as essential for increasing the RAAF's flexibility and force projection while minimizing risks to crewed platforms.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is intended to operate autonomously alongside crewed aircraft, strengthening the RAAF’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. While initially envisioned for combat roles, its use has shifted toward ISR functions, including electronic warfare and acting as a decoy to protect crewed aircraft. This adjustment aligns the platform with current Australian defense needs while avoiding complexities related to rules of engagement for armed drones.
The Australian Department of Defence has emphasized that the MQ-28A program is a core element of its strategy to integrate collaborative autonomous systems within a combined force of crewed and uncrewed platforms. These systems enhance the lethality and survivability of existing assets, contributing to Australia’s “strategy of denial.” The department has also outlined plans for trials in 2025 to fully evaluate the integration and performance of these autonomous technologies within a combined force structure.
Internationally, the program has faced hurdles. In April, Anduril and General Atomics were selected to advance in the US Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program, limiting the Ghost Bat's market opportunities in the United States. Although Boeing opted not to submit the MQ-28A for this phase, instead focusing on a solution tailored to US requirements, this outcome represents a challenge for the platform’s export prospects.
Nonetheless, the program benefits from close collaboration with the United States under a 2023 agreement for the development of emerging technologies. Boeing has stated that the capabilities being developed to meet Australia’s defense needs position the MQ-28 as a versatile platform with potential for a wide range of missions as technology evolves. Ferguson remains optimistic about the program’s future, citing significant progress over the past two years as a strong foundation for upcoming developments.
The MQ-28’s development aligns with a global trend toward integrating autonomous combat drones alongside crewed aircraft to enhance military capabilities while reducing risks to personnel. Comparable programs include the XQ-58 Valkyrie by Kratos in the United States and Dassault’s nEUROn in Europe, each exploring manned-unmanned teaming for diverse missions. Boeing initiated the MQ-28 project to address specific RAAF requirements, marking the first military aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years. The program positions Boeing as a leader in the emerging field of autonomous combat systems, capitalizing on the growing importance of such technologies in modern defense strategies.