🇦🇺 AUstrikeactive

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Also known as: Ghost Bat · Loyal Wingman · ATS

Manufacturer: Boeing Defence Australia

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Australia's first domestically designed combat aircraft since WWII. Loyal-wingman style autonomous companion to manned platforms.

SPECIFICATIONS

Category

strike

In service since

2024

Weight

3800 kg

Payload

270 kg

Range

3700 km

Endurance

180 min

Speed

1100 km/h

Control

satcom

EW resistance

high

Autonomy

autonomous

Unit cost (USD)

$2,000,000 – $5,000,000

KNOWN OPERATORS

🇦🇺 Australia

NOTABLE USE CASES

First flight Feb 2021; manned-unmanned teaming trials with E-7A Wedgetail 2023; Australian RAAF inducted operational variant 2024.

RECENT EVENTS

doctrine-change2026-09-01U.S. Navy RFI signals push for carrier-capable Collaborative Combat Aircraft resembling advanced UCAV🇺🇸deployment2026-08-24Saab presents A3 loyal wingman drone concept for potential Swedish Air Force use🇸🇪doctrine-change2026-08-21Saab presents Autonomous Collaborative Platform fighter-drone roadmap and full-scale A3 mock-up in Sweden🇸🇪deployment2026-08-06Australia announces AIM-260 procurement; MQ-28 Ghost Bat cited as potential future carrier🇦🇺deployment2026-07-22BAE Systems unveils Brontanax uncrewed fighter concept at Farnborough Airshow🇬🇧deployment2026-07-22BAE Systems unveils Brontanax collaborative combat aircraft drone at Farnborough Airshow🇬🇧deployment2026-07-20Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous hybrid-electric tiltrotor combat drone concept at Farnborough Airshow🇬🇧deployment2026-07-20Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous armed reconnaissance tiltrotor drone for helicopters

See all events →

SOURCES

Data confidence: 85 / 100. Catalog is in active development.