Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. Originally introduced as the Loyal Wingman, the aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters and extend their sensing, range and strike capabilities.

The Ghost Bat is intended to function not simply as a conventional unmanned aircraft, but as a trusted autonomous combat asset capable of teaming with crewed aircraft. It can support roles such as reconnaissance, early warning, electronic warfare and mission-range extension, reducing the workload placed on crewed platforms. The aircraft is also designed to combine sensor and mission data from multiple vehicles to create shared situational awareness.

Its modular mission nose allows mission equipment to be exchanged rapidly. An open-system architecture supports third- party payload integration, while smart munitions and configurable ISR sensors allow the aircraft to be adapted to different operational requirements. According to the Plarok database, the MQ-28 has a maximum speed of 595 knots, a range of approximately 3,704 kilometres and a service ceiling of 40,000 feet. The programme remains in the testing stage and is being developed as a major element of Australia’s future air-combat architecture.