The MQ-28 Ghost Bat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), jointly developed by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Boeing Australia, has completed public flight trials for the media, demonstrating its operational capabilities. The “2025 Capability Demonstration,” held from April to June of this year at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, marked the culmination of six years of research and development work leading to Australia’s first independently designed and manufactured combat aircraft since World War II. As an advanced aerial robotic system, Ghost Bat is more than just a drone; it demonstrates advances in autonomous perception, decision-making, and collaboration for military robotics.
According to Boeing, Ghost Bat has previously accumulated 150 hours of real-world flight and 20,000 hours of simulation testing, a combination that has accelerated the program’s progress. Since the first prototype was delivered in May 2020 and its maiden flight in February 2021, the RAAF has now received eight Type 1 prototypes. The tests focused on verifying the robotic platform’s autonomous flight and mission execution capabilities, multi-aircraft formation operations (swarming), and joint operations with manned aircraft—including coordinated flight with an E-7A Wedgetail early warning aircraft and data network interconnection between manned aircraft and multiple Ghost Bats. By integrating sensor fusion, real-time links, and artificial intelligence decision support, Ghost Bat can perform reconnaissance, escort, and support missions in complex electromagnetic and battlefield environments, reducing risks to manned aircraft and enhancing combat system resiliency.
After completing these capability verifications, the project will next assess whether to initiate serial production and advance the refinement and preparation for serial production of the second aircraft. A new round of advanced testing, including air-to-air weapons, is expected as early as the end of this year or early 2026. Subsequent work will also focus on the robotic system’s safety (including communication links and anti-jamming capabilities), software verification, logistics support and maintenance systems, and policy review of the use of autonomous weapon systems within regulatory and ethical frameworks. If it enters mass production and enters service, the MQ-28 will bring significant improvements to the RAAF’s robotized warfare capabilities in terms of manned/unmanned logistics coordination, mission orchestration and battlefield awareness, and may also promote further investment and industrialization of the local defense industry in the fields of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone has a wingspan of 24 feet (7.3 meters) and an overall length of 38 feet (11.7 meters). It is powered by a single Williams FJ33 turbofan engine, capable of high-speed subsonic flight and a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles (approximately 3,700 kilometers). Its modular nose can carry reconnaissance sensors or weapons systems depending on the mission, and it is capable of operating in conjunction with conventional fighter jets.
It’s worth noting that this project not only provides a “force multiplier” for Australia’s defense but also reflects a shift in defense policy. Amidst global turmoil, Australia is striving to expand its military and promote the localization of defense equipment. Furthermore, Australia’s northern coast, traditionally a defensive buffer, has gradually transformed into a key defense and external projection base, with related military bases undergoing continuous expansion and strengthening. For example, the location of the Tindal base is no accident; it reflects Australia’s desire to leverage the “Loyal Wingman” program to drive force integration, networking, and long-range projection. Continued drone testing will enhance northern defense coverage, enabling coastline patrols, interception, and long-range strike capabilities.
Meanwhile, global interest in the Ghost Bat is also emerging. The US Navy has expressed interest in its shipboard refueling variant, and Poland is in discussions about potential procurement. Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 Global Program Director, said: “The RAAF set us breakthrough targets for the first four steps in the air combat chain, and we have achieved them ahead of schedule. Achieving these targets ahead of schedule will allow us to accelerate the program into the ‘attack’ and ‘evaluation’ phases, with live-fire air-to-air missile exercises planned for late this year or early next year. These demonstrations have proven the maturity and operational value of the MQ-28 technology, as well as the potential application of CCA-class drones to future combat systems.”
