iscover
American defence prime Boeing has teased aerial refuelling capability and drag-and-drop tasking of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat autonomous aircraft during a new concept video.
Boeing hinted at both capabilities with a “Take a peek into the future” video circulating online, explaining how the uncrewed aircraft could be controlled by a two-seater US F-15EX fighter aircraft with battle management controls.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
The video clearly shows a US pilot using drag-and-drop tasking of at least four Ghost Bats from the F-15EX cockpit in flight.
Take a peek into the future.
With the F-15EX’s future manned-unmanned teaming capabilities supported by an advanced cockpit system, communication networks and two-seat configuration, the superior fighter could serve as a battle manager and joint all domain command and control. pic.twitter.com/07oRhGdIjV
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) September 4, 2025
In addition, the video hinted at aerial refuelling capability for the Ghost Bats, which prominently featured aerial refuelling assistance markings (identical to those surrounding the real-life fuel door on aircraft such as F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and F-22 Raptors).
Earlier this month, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the MQ-28 Ghost Bat can transform single fighter jets into a fighting team.
“The first military aircraft built in Australia in over 50 years, and it’s one of the best of its kind in the world,” he said.
“The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a next-generation autonomous aircraft and it’s taking our Royal Australian Air Force’s capability to the next level.
“The Ghost Bat turns a single fighter jet into a fighting team, with advanced sensors that are like hundreds of eyes in the sky.
“It’s now completed all its capability missions for 2025, four months ahead of schedule, proving not only its operational viability but proving that Australia is a world leader in collaborative autonomous aircraft development too.
“And with over 200 Australian suppliers and 440 highly skilled Aussie workers behind it, it’s what a defence future made in Australia is all about.
“To all the engineers, workers and personnel at the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defense, Space & Security involved in the project, you’ve got a lot to be proud of.
“It’s cutting-edge Aussie ingenuity. The kind that’ll transform the capabilities of our Australian defence force and the kind that keeps Australians safe.”
