MQ-28A Ghost Bat

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat (formerly known as the Airpower Teaming System or ATS) is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Boeing Defence Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Ghost Bat represents Australia's first domestically designed combat aircraft in over 50 years and one of the world's most advanced loyal wingman UCAV programs.

Key aspects of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat:

1. Development history:

• 2019: Boeing Defence Australia announced the Airpower Teaming System (ATS) concept at the Avalon Airshow
• February 27, 2021: First flight of the prototype at Woomera Range Complex
• 2022: The aircraft was officially designated MQ-28A Ghost Bat by the RAAF (named after the Australian ghost bat)
• 2023-2025: Flight envelope expansion, sensors integration, and weapons testing
• December 8, 2025: World-first autonomous air-to-air missile engagement — the Ghost Bat successfully destroyed a Phoenix target drone with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile at Woomera
• December 9, 2025: Australian government approved a $1.4 billion AUD contract for 6 MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft, transitioning from experimentation to operational capability

2. Design characteristics:

• Stealth: The Ghost Bat features low-observable (stealth) design characteristics including shaping, materials, and internal weapons bay
• Size: Approximately 11.7 meters long with a wingspan of about 11.7 meters — roughly the size of a fighter aircraft
• Range: Approximately 3,700 km (2,000 nautical miles) operational radius, enabling long-range missions across the Indo-Pacific
• Speed: Subsonic, optimized for endurance and stealth rather than speed
• Propulsion: Single turbofan engine
• Payload: Internal weapons bay for air-to-air missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM), sensors, and other payloads

3. Loyal wingman concept:

• The Ghost Bat is designed to fly alongside manned RAAF fighters (F-35A, F/A-18F, Eurofighter)
• It serves as a 'loyal wingman' that extends the manned fighter's capabilities:
  • Additional sensors for extended situational awareness
  • Additional weapons for increased firepower
  • Electronic warfare capabilities
  • Risk absorption (flying ahead in high-threat environments)
  • Communication relay
• The manned fighter pilot commands the Ghost Bat, which operates autonomously or semi-autonomously

4. Development blocks:

• Block 1: Initial capability — basic flight, sensors, and weapons integration (current)
• Block 2: Enhanced capability — additional sensors, expanded weapons, improved autonomy (2026-2027)
• Block 3: Full operational capability — advanced AI, multi-aircraft teaming, full weapons suite (2028+)

5. World-first autonomous air-to-air engagement (December 8, 2025):

• The Ghost Bat successfully engaged and destroyed a Phoenix target drone with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile
• This was the first time an autonomous drone had completed a fully integrated air-to-air missile engagement
• The milestone demonstrated the Ghost Bat's ability to detect, track, and engage aerial targets autonomously
• This achievement has global significance, demonstrating the maturity of UCAV air-to-air capability

6. $1.4 billion acquisition (December 9, 2025):

• The Australian government approved a $1.4 billion AUD contract with Boeing Defence Australia for 6 MQ-28A aircraft
• This transitions the program from experimentation to operational capability
• The 6 aircraft will form the RAAF's initial Ghost Bat squadron
• The contract includes support, training, and infrastructure

7. Strategic significance:

• The Ghost Bat provides the RAAF with a force multiplier — each manned fighter can command multiple Ghost Bats
• The stealth characteristics enable penetration of contested airspace
• The long range (3,700 km) enables operations across the vast Indo-Pacific theater
• The autonomous air-to-air capability demonstrated in December 2025 represents a paradigm shift in air combat
• The program maintains Australian combat aircraft design and manufacturing capability

8. Connection to global loyal wingman programs:

• The Ghost Bat is part of the global trend toward collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) and loyal wingman concepts
• Comparable programs include US CCA (Anduril Fury, Boeing-Stingray), UK VANQUISH (GCAP), Airbus Wingman (Germany), and various Chinese UCAV programs
• The Ghost Bat is among the most advanced operational loyal wingman programs globally
• The December 2025 air-to-air engagement puts Australia at the forefront of UCAV combat capability

9. AUKUS connection:

• The Ghost Bat connects to AUKUS Pillar 2 autonomous systems cooperation
• The technology and experience from the Ghost Bat program can be shared with US and UK allies
• The Ghost Bat could potentially be acquired by or inform the development of US and UK loyal wingman programs
• The program demonstrates Australian contribution to allied autonomous systems capability

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat represents a landmark achievement for Australian defense industry and a significant advancement in global UCAV capability. The world-first autonomous air-to-air engagement in December 2025 and the $1.4 billion acquisition contract mark the transition from experimental to operational capability, positioning Australia at the forefront of the loyal wingman revolution.