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Anduril’s Fury Drone Emerges as a Competitor to Boeing’s Ghost Bat in Australia.
At the Avalon Air Show 2025, Anduril presented a full-scale model of its Fury drone for the first time internationally, in what appears to be a strategic effort to attract Australia’s interest in its collaborative combat aircraft program. This presentation comes as Australia has already invested significantly in the development and procurement of Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a domestically developed drone designed to operate alongside manned fighter aircraft as a loyal wingman.
Fury is designed as a reusable system with low maintenance costs, capable of supporting missions ranging from air support to electronic warfare (Picture source: Anduril)
David Goodrich, CEO of Anduril Australia, confirmed the company’s participation in an evaluation process led by the Royal Australian Air Force, with a decision pending from the relevant authorities. He stated that any final decision would require government approval, though no timeline has been provided. Anduril is not limiting its focus to Australia and is also exploring opportunities in the broader Indo-Pacific region. A recent partnership between Anduril, Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), and the Republic of Singapore Air Force suggests that Singapore may also be interested in the autonomous capabilities offered by Fury.
Fury is a Group 5 autonomous combat drone designed for multi-role operations in contested environments. It integrates Lattice software for mission autonomy, allowing it to operate in coordination with both manned and unmanned platforms. Its modular design enables rapid reconfiguration of sensors and payloads, supporting electronic warfare, surveillance, and strike missions. Equipped with a commercial jet engine, it combines fighter-like performance with extended endurance while optimizing operational costs and logistics.
Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 0.95 and sustaining accelerations of 9G, Fury is designed for high-maneuverability engagements. Its open architecture allows for the integration of third-party sensors and weapons, enhancing adaptability to evolving threats. Developed using rapid prototyping and digital engineering, it is designed for accelerated production, offering a scalable solution for combat drone fleets at a reduced cost.
In a statement highlighting Anduril’s potential local involvement, Goodrich indicated that the company would consider producing Fury in Australia if selected by Canberra, a move that could influence discussions on balancing domestic industry support with foreign technology adoption. This positioning directly challenges the Ghost Bat, for which Australia has allocated 600 million AUD for ten units and an additional 400 million AUD for three upgraded models.
Malcolm Davis, a defense expert at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), suggested that Fury’s introduction in Australia could put significant pressure on Boeing due to cost differences. Fury is largely based on commercial off-the-shelf technology, unlike the Ghost Bat, which has been specifically developed to meet Australian military requirements.
On the international stage, Fury is also competing in the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to provide autonomous aircraft capable of supporting next-generation fighter jets. This initiative, seen as a critical response to the numerical advantage of Chinese air forces, includes Fury’s first scheduled flight this year in the United States, where it will compete against a model proposed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
Boeing’s interim head of defense, space, and security, Steve Parker, downplayed the challenge posed by Fury, emphasizing that the Ghost Bat has already completed over 100 test flights and is further along in development. General Atomics has taken a more measured approach, with company spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley stating that their focus is on expanding market opportunities in the Indo-Pacific rather than directly competing with the Ghost Bat. He also highlighted General Atomics’ production capacity, capable of delivering up to 200 aircraft per year without additional industrial expansion—an implicit contrast to Anduril’s relatively limited manufacturing footprint.
Anduril’s interest in Australia aligns with a broader pattern of strategic cooperation between Canberra and Washington. For decades, Australia has sought to align its military capabilities with those of the United States, and autonomous drones could play a key role in this strategy. The U.S. has indicated that future drones from the CCA program may be made available for export through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, potentially facilitating an Australian acquisition of Fury.
Fury is designed as a reusable system with low maintenance costs, capable of supporting missions ranging from air support to electronic warfare. In contrast, the Ghost Bat, first introduced at Avalon in 2023, is primarily focused on surveillance and reconnaissance, with uncertainties regarding the integration of strike capabilities.
Anduril has not confirmed whether local production of Fury in Australia is under serious consideration. The company recently announced the opening of a large manufacturing facility in Ohio, where multiple systems, including Fury, the Roadrunner interceptor drone, and the Barracuda cruise missile family, will be produced. The future of Fury in Australia will largely depend on Canberra’s strategic decisions regarding combat drones and the balance between domestic industrial development and foreign acquisitions.
As competition among manufacturers intensifies, Australia may consider a hybrid approach, continuing its national drone program while evaluating alternatives such as Fury. The drone’s presence at Avalon marks a significant step for Anduril as it seeks to establish itself as a key player in the autonomous combat aircraft market, both in the United States and internationally.