MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA – Collaborative Combat Aircraft) platform developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Its design enables it to operate alongside manned fighter aircraft through autonomous systems and intelligent human-machine integration, supporting multi-mission operations.

Concept and Development History

The Ghost Bat supports missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, sensor data provision, electronic warfare, and armed strike by coordinating with manned aircraft; its primary objective is to extend the operational reach of manned fleets. The platform’s development is conducted through strategic collaboration between Boeing and the RAAF.

The first flight of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat took place in February 2021, and over 100 test flights have been conducted under an extended testing program through 2025. In February 2024, the Australian Government announced an additional AUD 400 million in funding for three aircraft built to the new “Block 2” standard.

On 8 December 2025, during a test conducted by Boeing and the RAAF, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat successfully completed a live weapons firing by destroying an aerial target with a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile; during this engagement, the aircraft operated in integration with an E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet.

Design and Features

The Ghost Bat’s design accommodates modular mission payload packages; its mission nose section can be swapped with different sensor and weapon modules. This flexibility allows adaptation for reconnaissance, electronic support, and potential armed mission roles.^【1】

The platform’s aerodynamic structure is optimized for high-altitude flight and jet propulsion, enabling it to match the speed and maneuverability profile of manned fighter aircraft. The MQ-28’s range is specified at 2,000 nautical miles (≈3,700 km). The Australian Government awarded Boeing a new contract valued at AUD 754 million, encompassing further production of the Ghost Bat, development of advanced configurations such as Block 2 and Block 3, and the establishment of an operational capability for the RAAF.

Fully Equipped MQ-28 (YouTube)

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat and Bayraktar Kızılelma

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an unmanned uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) developed by Australia to operate alongside manned aircraft and provide tactical support.

The Bayraktar Kızılelma is a Turkish-developed jet-powered combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV) system by Baykar. Kızılelma is designed for both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions and features a AESA radar, high speed and maneuverability, giving it a mission profile similar to conventional fighter aircraft; it can directly conduct combat operations with its onboard weapons.^【2】

The Ghost Bat is designed with a length of approximately 11.7 meters and a wingspan of 7.3 meters, powered by a turbofan engine to achieve high subsonic speeds; its range exceeds 2,000 nautical miles (≈3,700 km). The platform is developed with low observability and a modular mission payload architecture.^【3】

Kızılelma, by contrast, has a larger structure with a length of approximately 14.5 meters and a wingspan of 10 meters. Its cruise speed is around 0.6 Mach (~735 km/h), with a maximum speed of approximately 0.9 Mach (~1,100+ km/h), and it offers a mission radius of approximately 500 nautical miles (~930 km). The platform has a payload capacity of approximately 1,500 kg and features autonomous takeoff and landing capabilities, enabling deployment from short-runway ships.^【4】

During the test on 8 December 2025, the Ghost Bat successfully engaged a target with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile while operating in integrated formation with an E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet. This demonstrated the platform’s ability to conduct air-to-air weapons employment within a team context.^【5】

Kızılelma can carry indigenous Turkish air-to-air missiles such as GÖKDOĞAN. On 30 November 2025, during a test, it achieved target detection via AESA radar and executed a beyond-visual-range (BVR) attack, marking a successful demonstration of radar-guided BVR air-to-air combat capability.

While the Ghost Bat is designed to operate in coordination with manned aircraft to provide tactical information within the CCA role, Kızılelma is designed as a direct combat unmanned fighter aircraft. The Ghost Bat’s primary advantage lies in team integration and support functions; Kızılelma’s key advantage is its direct combat capability, supported by advanced radar and weapon systems and a flexible mission profile.^【6】

MQ-28 (YouTube) and Kızılelma Firing Moment (YouTube)

Integration into the Royal Australian Air Force Inventory

In December 2025, the Australian government signed a contract worth approximately AUD 1.4 billion with Boeing, approving the procurement of six MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft and the production of enhanced Block 2/3 prototypes. This agreement is regarded as a significant step toward the Ghost Bat’s integration into the RAAF inventory.^【7】

The Ghost Bat is described as one of the first modern combat platforms designed, manufactured, and flown in Australia; plans are underway to establish new production facilities in Toowoomba, Queensland.