Australia has made a significant advancement in its defense capabilities by contracting Boeing Defence Australia to supply an additional six MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft. This agreement, valued at 1.4 billion Australian dollars (approximately 930 million USD), marks a crucial transition for the Australian-designed and -built platform from a technology demonstrator to operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force.
The announcement follows the successful completion of the Ghost Bat’s first live-fire weapon test, showcasing the drone’s ability to launch an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile at an aerial target. Under the new contract, six Block 2 Ghost Bats will be delivered while an enhanced Block 3 prototype is planned for development over the next three years. The objective of this initiative is to achieve operational capability by 2028, a timeline that reflects the urgency of modern military readiness in the face of evolving threats.
Additionally, the contract encompasses various design enhancements, including the incorporation of an internal weapons bay, which signifies a strategic upgrade to the drone’s operational potential. To date, Australia has already placed orders for eight Block 1 Ghost Bats and three Block 2 variants, demonstrating the country’s commitment to advancing its unmanned aerial systems.
This initiative is part of a broader 10 billion Australian dollar (6 billion USD) investment in drone technology over the next decade, with a notable allocation of at least 4.3 billion Australian dollars (about 2.82 billion USD) specifically directed towards uncrewed aerial systems. The Ghost Bat program is expected to bolster the job market by supporting more than 440 high-skilled positions across the country.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy emphasized the significance of the Ghost Bat, stating, “The future of collaborative air combat is right here, right now. Today’s announcement highlights that Australia is leading the world in the development of collaborative combat aircraft.” He noted that the Ghost Bat transforms a single fighter jet into a powerful team, enhancing both surveillance capabilities and the ability to engage adversaries, thereby offering a vital layer of protection for aviators, deemed the most valuable asset in military operations.
Functioning as a collaborative combat partner, the Ghost Bat is designed to enhance the sensing and targeting capabilities that can significantly improve the survivability and operational reach of existing fighter fleets. The aircraft boasts a reconfigurable nose section, allowing for the integration of mission-specific payloads such as AESA radar, electro-optical sensors, electronic attack suites, signals intelligence packages, and, in the near future, compact internal weapons bays.
With a length of 38 feet (11.7 meters) and a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles (2,302 miles or 3,704 kilometers), the MQ-28 offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional crewed aircraft, coming in at about one-tenth of the price. This innovative approach positions Australia as a leader in advancing military technology and collaborative combat strategies.
