Boeing reveals expanded MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat capabilities at ILA Berlin

Central to the upgrades is an enlarged wingspan, 25 per cent larger than the current configuration, that lifts the platform’s maximum take-off weight from 10,000 pounds (approximately 4,500 kilograms) to 12,000 pounds (approximately 5,400kg) and pushes useful load beyond 4,500 pounds (approximately 2,000kg).

The additional capacity allows the aircraft to carry up to an extra 2,000 pounds (approximately 900kg) of fuel, stores or mission payloads, giving operators the ability to trade-off endurance against weapons carriage depending on the mission.

Internally, the Ghost Bat can now be configured to carry two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles or four small diameter bombs, with provision for three external weapons stations if additional firepower is required.

Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 global program director, highlighted the importance of these developments, saying, “That additional capacity gives operators freedom to balance payload and endurance to configure for the mission at hand, whether that means carrying extra fuel for longer-range operations, increasing weapons carriage or any combination of both.”

Ferguson confirmed the enhancements were developed in partnership with the RAAF and will be progressively rolled out to the fleet through a spiral upgrade program, with availability extended to allied nations.

“Inclusion of features such as BLOS capability are a direct result of our learnings to date along with feedback from Air Forces as they understand more about the role and integration of CCAs into joint force operations,” Ferguson said.

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Other capability enhancements include significant software upgrades aligned with the Government Reference Architecture, enabling operators to tailor weapons, payloads, command and control, and mission autonomy to operational requirements. An upgraded modular, missionised nose section provides expanded payload configuration options and supports insertion of third-party capability.

Amy List, vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, said the maturity of the MQ-28 system underpins the program’s ability to keep pace with an evolving threat environment. “The advanced maturity of the MQ-28 systems is what allows us to continually adapt to the changing operational environment and minimise the risk as we transition to operations,” she said.

Boeing said the improvements also enhance interchangeability and interoperability with both Boeing and non-Boeing platforms, offering allied operators a highly configurable, mission-adaptable solution that can be tailored to meet sovereign operational requirements.

“Combined with the MQ-28’s confirmed low observability characteristics and survivability upgrades, these capability enhancements support more flexible mission concepts and further allow Defence customers to distribute operational risk,” List said.

The announcements cement the Ghost Bat’s position as one of the most advanced CCA programs globally, with Australia’s early partnership with Boeing placing the RAAF at the leading edge of uncrewed combat aviation development.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.