Boeing’s Toowoomba, Wellcamp-made unmanned aircraft named MQ-28A Ghost Bat by RAAF, Department of Defence

After more than $150m of funding, the first aircraft to be assembled in the Toowoomba region has taken a big step forward. But Boeing says it still hasn’t received an order yet.

MQ-28A Ghost Bat pictured in flight during flight testing at Woomera, South Australia, 2021.

The pilotless aircraft that will be built by Boeing at a new facility outside Toowoomba has a name, but no orders have arrived for the drone from the Australian Government.

The uncrewed combat vehicle, which was created under the Loyal Wingman program, has been designated the MQ-28A Ghost Bat by the Royal Australian Air Force and the Department of Defence.

It will be the first aircraft designed and built in Australian in half a century.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton confirmed the Ghost Bat had completed its first test flights at RAAF Base Amberley.

“As air warfare grows more complex and more sophisticated, remotely piloted aircraft and other uncrewed platforms are becoming increasingly vital assets for modern militaries,” he said at the launch on Monday.

Wagner Corporation submitted plans to the Toowoomba Regional Council last month for the new assembly plant next to Wellcamp Airport.

However Boeing confirmed it had not received any orders from the Department of Defence as yet, and Mr Dutton said a contract was not a done deal. “This is a risky project … that easily could have gone sideways,” he said.