Ghost Bat program a priority

Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat, one of the capabilities specifically highlighted in the DSR, will continue to be developed in collaboration with the US.

The DSR has called for the continued development pf the Ghost Bat MQ-28A has in collaboration with the US. Picture: Department of Defence

Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat uncrewed autonomous aircraft system was one of the capabilities specifically highlighted in the recently released Defence Strategic Review (DSR), with the document calling for its continued development in collaboration with the US.

Designed and developed until now by Boeing Australia, the MQ-28A is touted as the first Australian designed and produced combat aircraft since WWII.

Initially known as the Loyal Wingman program, Ghost Bat is jointly funded by Boeing Australia and the Commonwealth under Project Def 6014 and was unveiled at the Avalon Airshow in 2019.

Since then, Boeing Australia has produced four aircraft for developmental testing with the Royal Australian Air Force and the Defence Portfolio Budget Statement released on May 9 confirms the previous government’s commitment to the funding of 10 aircraft.

“MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a sovereign autonomous air vehicle designed to operate as part of an integrated system of crewed and uncrewed aircraft and space-based capabilities,” the DSR states. “The aircraft is intended to be an attritable platform, which costs less than a crewed platform, and can be replaced rapidly.”

The DSR goes on to recommend that the program be a priority for collaborative development with the US – a recommendation which has subsequently been agreed upon by the Albanese government.

The MQ-28A flew for the first time in early 2021 and recent highlights in its developmental program have included initial ground testing of different payloads and the selection of Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba as the future production facility. A real aircraft was displayed to the Australian public for the first time at the 2023 Avalon Airshow in March, but both Boeing and the RAAF remain tight-lipped about any further program developments – including collaboration with the US.

“We’re working closely with Defence on the future of the program and we’re pleased to see its inclusion and recommendations for continued collaboration with the US government,” Boeing Defence Australia’s managing director Scott Carpendale commented in early May.

“The nature and detail of that collaboration is something the two governments will work on collectively and we’re standing by to support in terms of where that program goes. Part of that is continuing to develop the platform to make it producible and affordable and capable as quickly as we can to support both the Australian and global markets.”

Late last year, US-based defence media outlets reported that US Secretary of Defence Frank Kendall had hinted an MQ-28A would begin trials with the US Air Force in 2023, but Carpendale declined to comment further.

Despite any potential US interest, he was, however, at pains to point out Ghost Bat will remain a sovereign Australian program.

“It is an Australian program, it’s led by an Australian project manager and the vast majority of the team is Australian,” Carpendale asserted.

“The heritage, the design, the know-how of the program is Australian. The only place aircraft are being produced is Australia and our lead partner on the program is the Royal Australian Air Force; so, by every measure this is an Australian program.

“I won’t comment on the decision or desire of the US government, but what I will say is that we continue our focus on making sure that the capability we’re developing in Australia for the RAAF has relevance and is competitive in a global market.”

The recent Defence budget did not include any additional funding for the program until at least mid-2027, but revealed a Combat Collaborative Aircraft Project Arrangement for greater collaboration on the MQ-28A has been signed with the US in line with the recommendations made in the DSR.