Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) platform developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. Originally introduced as the Loyal Wingman, the aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft, extending their sensor coverage, mission range, and strike capabilities.

Rather than operating as a conventional standalone UAV, Ghost Bat is designed as a trusted autonomous combat asset capable of teaming with crewed aircraft. The platform can support roles such as reconnaissance, early warning, electronic warfare, and mission-range extension, reducing the workload on crewed aircraft. It is also intended to combine sensor and mission data from multiple aircraft to enhance shared situational awareness.

Its modular mission nose allows different mission payloads to be rapidly exchanged. An open-system architecture facilitates the integration of third-party payloads, while smart weapons and configurable ISR sensors allow the platform to be adapted for different missions. According to Plarok data, the MQ-28 has a maximum speed of 595 knots, a range of approximately 3,704 kilometers, and a service ceiling of 40,000 feet. The program remains in the testing phase and is being developed as an important component of Australia’s future air combat architecture.

In 2026, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat advanced testing and interoperability activities outside Australia through flight operations with the U.S. Air Force in the Indo-Pacific. These activities are helping evaluate not only the MQ-28’s autonomous flight capabilities, but also its potential to operate within the same mission architecture as crewed aircraft from allied air forces. Cooperation with the U.S. Air Force represents an important step in the platform’s development toward future CCA missions and multinational operations.