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Boeing Accelerates MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Development Toward Combat Integration with Upcoming Air-to-Air Missile Test.
At the Avalon Air Show in Australia, Boeing announced its intention to conduct an air-to-air missile test from its MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone by the end of 2025 or early 2026, as reported by FlightGlobal. This phase represents a significant step in the aircraft's development, which has so far been tested mainly for non-kinetic missions such as electronic warfare and surveillance. Steve Parker, interim president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, confirmed this objective during a media roundtable, emphasizing the company’s intent to accelerate the MQ-28’s development and expand its operational role.
MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft on a runway (Picture source: Australian DoD)
Boeing has not yet determined whether the test will involve a Block 1 variant or the future Block 2, but the MQ-28 test fleet is expected to expand with the arrival of new models. The integration of an internal weapons bay is among the anticipated developments to enhance offensive capabilities. This first air-to-air missile test will validate the integration of weaponry, which could include the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, or an Australian-developed missile. This development positions the Ghost Bat as a key component in future collaborative air combat concepts, where autonomous drones support crewed aircraft in operational scenarios.
The Boeing MQ-28 is an uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft designed to operate alongside existing air platforms. Equipped with advanced autonomous technologies, it enhances intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and early warning missions while reducing risks to crewed assets. Measuring 11.7 meters in length with a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, it provides fighter-like performance at a fraction of the cost, estimated at one-tenth that of a crewed fighter aircraft. Its open-architecture design enables rapid integration of new capabilities and adaptation to mission-specific requirements, increasing operational flexibility for allied forces.
The introduction of the Block 2 variant aims to enhance the MQ-28’s endurance, payload capacity, and interoperability with other aircraft. This development aligns with a broader trend toward collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), as demonstrated by similar programs such as the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, the U.S. Air Force's Skyborg initiative, and BAE Systems' Loyal Wingman project in the United Kingdom. In this context, the MQ-28 presents itself as a potential option for other air forces, particularly in North America.
Since the start of its test program, the MQ-28 has accumulated over 100 flight hours, validating autonomy algorithms and gradually incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities. Boeing has also conducted in-flight adaptation experiments, confirming the aircraft’s ability to adjust its trajectory and operational parameters based on mission needs. Amy List, General Manager of Boeing Defence Australia, stated that interest in the MQ-28 continues to grow both domestically and internationally, supported by demonstrated performance and backing from the Australian government.
While the Ghost Bat is being developed in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, its long-term prospects remain uncertain without a sustained production contract. However, Boeing remains optimistic about the program’s potential, citing opportunities in both Australia and the United States. Several MQ-28 units have already been transferred to North America for testing with the U.S. Air Force in St. Louis, Missouri, fueling speculation about possible integration into the USAF’s collaborative combat aircraft initiatives.
This announcement comes amid a broader series of developments for Boeing, which was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, an initiative focused on developing a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. On March 21, 2025, the USAF officially awarded Boeing the contract for the new fighter, designated the F-47. Parker confirmed that flight testing of NGAD prototypes has been ongoing for several years, indicating the project's maturity. The USAF also revealed that two competing NGAD prototypes have been flying secretly for five years, with the other design developed by Lockheed Martin.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat continues to advance through a series of tests aimed at integrating offensive capabilities, reinforcing its role as a collaborative combat drone. The upcoming air-to-air missile demonstration will be a critical milestone for Boeing in the program’s development and could influence its adoption beyond Australia. As part of a broader shift toward integrating autonomous and crewed aviation, the Ghost Bat could play a central role in the future air combat strategies of allied forces.