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MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft are expected to feature larger wingspans, improved communications and a bomb or missile carrying internal weapons bay, according to planned Block 3 upgrades from Boeing.
The Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft program is moving forward after deploying an aircraft to fire an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet uncrewed aerial target late last year.
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Operating as a loyal wingman to a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, that aircraft destroyed the airborne target during trials at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.
“The aircraft developed to date have been specifically designed to meet the Royal Australian Air Force provided Design Reference Missions,” according to Boeing MQ-28 global program director Glen Ferguson.
“We are working options for Block 3 including a larger wingspan to provide extended range, updated communications systems and an internal weapons bay capable of accommodating one medium range missile or two Small Diameter Bombs to meet the next layer of RAAF priorities and also address the needs of Allied nations.”
Late last year, the Australian government announced it would invest $1.4 billion to advance collaborative air capabilities and transition the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational warfighting asset for the Australian Defence Force.
That announcement included new contracts with Boeing Defence Australia for six operational Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and the development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype.
The delivery of these additional Ghost Bats is expected to lay the foundation for an operational Air Combat Platform capability within the Royal Australian Air Force.
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