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Boeing and the RAAF have, for the first time, deployed and operated the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft from an operational Air Force base.
The deployment took place during Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, serving as a key demonstration of the Ghost Bat’s ability to operate from remote and unfamiliar locations. It marks a significant step forward in proving the autonomous aircraft’s flexibility and operational viability within a real-world context.
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“Boeing is well advanced in proving the MQ-28’s operational capability, and this is another significant milestone in demonstrating the utility of the aircraft across a range of scenarios,” Glen Ferguson, Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Global Program director, said.
The aircraft was deployed to Tindal within a seven-day period in April, airlifted aboard a C-17A Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. Once on the ground, the MQ-28 was rapidly readied for flight operations, successfully completing a mission before being redeployed in a similarly short time frame. The demonstration showcased the aircraft’s deployability, support requirements and capacity to conduct missions without the need for a large logistics footprint, Boeing said.
“This deployment highlights the maturity of our program and provides a strong foundation for future demonstrations, including teaming with crewed RAAF assets,” Ferguson said.
“It was also an opportunity for us to execute some of the elements required to integrate MQ-28 into the force mix, including interacting with multiple defence organisations and units.”
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat – previously known as the Loyal Wingman – is a next-generation autonomous combat aircraft developed in Australia by Boeing in partnership with the RAAF. It is the first military aircraft designed and manufactured locally in over 50 years and represents a new class of unmanned aerial systems intended to operate in concert with manned platforms.
Designed to perform a variety of missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and tactical strike, the Ghost Bat features advanced sensor integration and artificial intelligence to enable semi-autonomous teaming with traditional fighter aircraft like the F-35A Lightning II and F/A-18F Super Hornet.
The aircraft measures just under 12 metres in length, has a range of over 3,700 kilometres and can carry a modular payload. It is designed to operate in contested airspace and can be forward deployed from austere locations, making it well suited to Australia’s strategic geography and defence posture in the Indo-Pacific.
RAAF Base Tindal, located near Katherine, is one of the RAAF’s key northern operating bases and is undergoing significant upgrades under the government’s Northern Base Infrastructure Program, making it an ideal location to trial emerging capabilities such as the MQ-28.
