Going to Bat: the future of the MQ-28A takes shape

Since its unveiling in May 2020, there’s been precious little information on how much progress Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat has made. The trailblazing drone, for those unaware, is the first military aircraft to be designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. Once complete, it promises to usher in an air combat revolution by using AI to fly alongside traditional fighter jets in mid-air – hence its project name, Loyal Wingman.

Boeing has partnered with the RAAF to create Ghost Bat, which measures 11.7 metres long, has a range of 2,000 nautical miles and can deliver fighter-jet-like performance while also offering intelligence capabilities. In total, its range of missions includes surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and tactical strike. Despite the aircraft still being under development, construction work is now underway on the $550m facility at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, where Ghost Bats will be built.

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