MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System)
RAAF/Boeing Defence Australia collaborative combat aircraft (loyal wingman drone); first military aircraft designed, built, and flown in Australia in 50+ years.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System) is a collaborative combat aircraft developed by Boeing Defence Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force — the first military aircraft designed, built, and flown in Australia in more than 50 years. It flies as an uncrewed 'loyal wingman' alongside crewed fighters, using AI-enabled sensors to extend the situational awareness of the aircraft it teams with. Boeing was awarded an AUD $754M (~US$500.6M) Program of Record tranche in December 2025 covering aircraft with an internal weapons bay, plus A$1.4B for six additional Block 2 aircraft and Block 3 development; RAAF operational deployment is targeted for 2028. The program was integrated into Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 alongside US and allied F-35 variants.
Program detail
- Agency
- Royal Australian Air Force / Boeing Defence Australia
- Acronym
- MQ-28
- Budget
- AUD $754M (~US$500.6M) Program of Record tranche (Dec 2025) plus A$1.4B for 6 additional Block 2 aircraft + Block 3 development
- Phase
- Integrated into Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 (Jun-Jul 2026) alongside F-35s; Block 2 aircraft in final production/testing; RAAF operational deployment targeted 2028
- Domain
- Collaborative combat aircraft / loyal wingman
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Frequently asked
- What is MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System)?
- The MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System) is a collaborative combat aircraft developed by Boeing Defence Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force — the first military aircraft designed, built, and flown in Australia in more than 50 years. It flies as an uncrewed 'loyal wingman' alongside crewed fighters, using AI-enabled sensors to extend the situational awareness of the aircraft it teams with. Boeing was awarded an AUD $754M (~US$500.6M) Program of Record tranche in December 2025 covering aircraft with an internal weapons bay, plus A$1.4B for six additional Block 2 aircraft and Block 3 development; RAAF operational deployment is targeted for 2028. The program was integrated into Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 alongside US and allied F-35 variants.
- Which agency runs MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System)?
- MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System) is run by Royal Australian Air Force / Boeing Defence Australia and is also known as MQ-28.
- What is the budget for MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System)?
- MQ-28 Ghost Bat (Boeing Airpower Teaming System) has a budget of AUD $754M (~US$500.6M) Program of Record tranche (Dec 2025) plus A$1.4B for 6 additional Block 2 aircraft + Block 3 development, currently in its Integrated into Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 (Jun-Jul 2026) alongside F-35s; Block 2 aircraft in final production/testing; RAAF operational deployment targeted 2028 phase.
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