MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Boeing · Australia · also known as Boeing Airpower Teaming System, ATS · Updated
MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed under Boeing's Airpower Teaming System programme, is an uncrewed "loyal wingman" combat aircraft designed and built in Australia to fly alongside crewed fighters as a force multiplier. It first flew on 27 February 2021 at RAAF Base Woomera, becoming the first military aircraft designed, manufactured and flown in Australia in more than 50 years.
Overview
Boeing Australia developed the Airpower Teaming System with support from the Royal Australian Air Force and a local industry team, aiming to produce an affordable, autonomous aircraft that could extend the sensor and weapons reach of crewed fighters such as the F-35A and F/A-18F without risking a pilot. The RAAF initially planned to acquire three prototypes; that grew to six after the first flight and to ten by 2023. In December 2025 the Australian government committed further funding, worth about A$1.4 billion, for six additional Block 2 aircraft and Block 3 development, with a larger wing and internal weapons bay planned for Block 3.
Design and capabilities
Ghost Bat is 11.7 m long with a 7.3 m wingspan, powered by a single Williams FJ44 turbofan, giving a maximum speed of about Mach 0.9 (roughly 1,080 km/h) and a range of around 3,700 km. It is built with a modular nose section that can be swapped to carry different sensor payloads, and is designed to operate autonomously in a network with crewed aircraft and other uncrewed systems, sharing sensor data and, eventually, carrying its own weapons.
Operational history
Eight Block 1 test aircraft have flown more than 100 hours from the RAAF's Woomera Range Complex since the 2021 first flight, and the first RAAF pilot completed dedicated Ghost Bat training in June 2024. In a live-fire trial on 8 December 2025, an MQ-28 used an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile to intercept a target drone while networked with an E-7 Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, demonstrating the aircraft's ability to fight as part of a crewed-uncrewed team. Full operational capability with the RAAF is planned for 2028, and the United States Air Force, US Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Germany's army have all expressed interest in the type.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
About 3,700 km, with a top speed of roughly Mach 0.9 (1,080 km/h).
Who builds the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
Boeing Australia, at its Fishermans Bend facility in Victoria, with support from the Royal Australian Air Force.
What is a "loyal wingman" drone?
An uncrewed aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighters, sharing sensor data and eventually weapons, to extend the reach of the crewed force without risking a pilot.
When did the MQ-28 first fly?
27 February 2021, at RAAF Base Woomera in South Australia.
Is the MQ-28 armed?
Yes — in a December 2025 test, an MQ-28 used an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile to intercept a target drone while coordinating with crewed aircraft.
