Successful Demonstration of MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft by RAAF
Woomera, South Australia – September 5, 2025
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have completed a series of significant demonstrations that underscore the operational effectiveness of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft. These assessments affirm the platform’s ability to enhance the capabilities of existing crewed assets.
Operational Testing Overview
The RAAF outlined specific missions that tested the MQ-28’s capacity to undertake a variety of operationally relevant tasks. These endeavors were pivotal in validating the aircraft’s potential to function alongside traditional manned platforms.
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Flight Duration: The uncrewed MQ-28 system, along with its digital simulators, has amassed over 150 hours of flight-time and surpassed 20,000 hours in virtual assessments.
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Timely Completion: The Capability Demonstration 2025 missions reached completion four months ahead of the anticipated timeline, validating several key operational aspects:
- Autonomous behavior capabilities
- Multi-ship coordination to enhance combat density
- Deployment exercises to RAAF Base Tindal
- Integration with the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control platform
- Data fusion techniques, including the transmission of actionable intelligence between multiple MQ-28 units and a crewed platform
The MQ-28’s design offers a unique autonomous capability aimed at augmenting the find, fix, track, and target phases of aerial combat. This maximize efficiency while minimizing risks to crewed operations.
Insights from Leadership
Glen Ferguson, the Global Program Director for MQ-28, commented on the significance of these developments. “The RAAF set the task of verifying the preliminary four stages in the Air Combat chain for the MQ-28, and we have successfully achieved this ahead of schedule,” he stated. This expedited completion allows for an accelerated transition into subsequent phases of development. A noteworthy air-to-air weapon engagement is scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026.
Ferguson emphasized the demonstration’s contribution to confirming the maturity of the MQ-28’s capabilities, highlighting the broader applicability of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) in future force structure planning.
Future Developments
The validated capabilities acquired during 2025 will be integrated into the production of Block 2 aircraft. This initial operational capability will serve not only the RAAF but also allied partners, enhancing collaborative defense efforts.
The advancements showcased through these demonstrations position the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a vital component in modern air operations, representing a crucial step in the evolution of unmanned combat aviation.
