31 January 2025

Boeing grows Australian industry team for Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft

| Andrew McLaughlin
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MQ-28 Ghost Bat

The Ghost Bat has detachable nose modules that can carry sensors, electronic warfare, or communications systems. Photo: Boeing.

Boeing Defence Australia has announced the addition of more industry partners to its team that is developing a new uncrewed combat aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Saab Australia, SRC Australia, B&R Enclosures and Coastal Aviation have been added to the team developing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat UCAS which has been designed in Australia by Boeing, and is currently being flight-tested at the Woomera Test Range in remote South Australia.

Some 74 critical suppliers are now working on the program including BAE Systems Australia, Rosebank Engineering, Microelectronic Technologies, Ferra Engineering, AME Systems, Allied Data Systems, Lovitt Technologies Australia and Marand Precision Engineering.

Saab will provide its TactiCall Communications Solution which will include user terminals, network, and radio infrastructure, and avionics equipment such as electro-mechanical actuators and controllers for the primary flight control system.

SRC will provide a radio frequency (RF) mission payload for the aircraft, while B&R Enclosures and Coastal Aviation will provide sheet metal for the aircraft’s fabrication.

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The MQ-28 evolved from Boeing’s Airpower Teaming System (ATS) concept for an uncrewed fighter-sized, jet-powered aircraft capable of supporting and augmenting crewed combat aircraft, as well as ‘high-value assets’ such as reconnaissance aircraft or air-to-air refuellers.

Boeing built an initial three ATS air vehicles which it retains, and the first of these made its maiden flight in 2021 at Woomera. In May 2022 the program was subsequently given the MQ-28A Ghost Bat designation, an announcement which coincided with the Commonwealth’s order for seven Block I air vehicles.

Boeing will build MQ-28As at a new facility at Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba in Queensland.

The single-engined aircraft features detachable nose modules which can carry various payloads including electronic warfare, electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors, or communications systems.

The ADF signed a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) development project arrangement with the US Air Force in March 2023, and it has been reported that two of Boeing’s ATS air vehicles have been sent to the US for evaluation, and may go on to form the basis of Boeing’s bid for the second phase of the US Air Force’s CCA program.

MQ-28 Ghost Bat

As at the end of 2024 the Ghost Bat test fleet had completed more than 100 hours. Photo: Boeing.

In February 2024, the Commonwealth added an additional $400 million to fund an additional three air vehicles in a Block 2 “enhanced design” configuration, and to support ongoing test and evaluation work at Woomera which will culminate in a capability demonstration in the fourth quarter of 2025.

To date, the test aircraft have flown more than 100 hours in addition to about 20,000 hours that have been flown on a virtual ‘digital twin’. During that time, the aircraft’s mission system, payloads and operational requirements have been tested, with focus on its autonomy, sensors and communications in an open mission system.

Tests have also involved flying two aircraft together, and multiple flights on the same day during test blocks.

Boeing’s MQ-28 global program director Glen Ferguson said, “The maturity of our supply chain demonstrates our progress and commitment to providing opportunities for Australian companies to grow with us as we continue to advance towards delivering an operationally capable platform and explore markets outside of Australia.”

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