Today Boeing released a video of the MQ-28 combat drone independently firing an air-to-air missile and taking out a fast-flying target. In Australia, at the vast Woomera test range, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat thereby made aviation history. The Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defence Australia worked towards this moment for years, but the successful test above all shows how fast unmanned jets are evolving. The Ghost Bat is no simple scout or bomber — the aircraft is designed as a fully fledged “wingman” that can operate alongside manned fighters and even fight air battles.
The MQ-28 looks like a compact, slender jet with a low radar signature. At around 11.7 metres long, with a fuselage of modern composite materials, it is built to fly quietly, be hard to see on radar and still cover long distances. In recent years, prototypes have accumulated more than 20,000 hours of simulation experience and hundreds of flight hours, testing how the drone responds to extreme manoeuvres, different sensors and changing weather conditions. It became clear early on that this aircraft is more than experimental. It is designed to play a role in real operations.
Video Boeing Australia
Weapons test
That goal became reality in December. During the weapons test, the Ghost Bat flew together with an E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet. The fighter identified the target, the Wedgetail gave permission to fire, and the Ghost Bat carried out the attack. What makes the test especially remarkable is that the drone did not simply execute instructions. It formed an active link in the chain of detection, tracking and attack — a role that until now was reserved for manned aircraft. The AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile that was fired was accurately guided and destroyed the target. This proved that an autonomous combat drone is capable of fighting a modern air battle.
The way the Ghost Bat is designed explains why it can take this step. Boeing built the aircraft on a modular architecture, allowing sensors, weapons and electronic systems to be quickly replaced or added. One moment it acts as a scout or forward sensor platform, the next as an electronic warfare platform or as a weapons platform that can carry out air or ground attacks. That flexibility makes the Ghost Bat attractive to countries that want to strengthen their air force without spending billions on extra manned jets.
(Image Boeing)
At least as interesting is the production concept. Australia has invested heavily in domestic production, so the drone is largely built at home. Thanks to modern production techniques, digital assembly and the use of light composites, costs are considerably lower than those of traditional fighters. That makes it possible to buy not one or two, but dozens — and that fundamentally changes air force strategy. Instead of a few very expensive platforms, a country can create a larger fleet of relatively affordable unmanned aircraft that together offer enormous firepower and flexibility.
After the successful missile test, the Australian government immediately announced that it has ordered a new series of Ghost Bats. In addition to operational aircraft, work is under way on an improved “Block 3” version that is to get more autonomy, more sensor range and possibly longer range. The RAAF sees the Ghost Bat as one of the main pillars of its future air force, together with manned jets such as the F-35. Australia is convinced: the next generation of air power will be a mix of human and machine, with drones taking on the most dangerous tasks and pilots retaining strategic control.
The significance of the Ghost Bat, however, reaches beyond Australia. Countries worldwide are looking for ways to strengthen their air forces without becoming dependent on extremely expensive fighters. The successful air-to-air test shows that drones are no longer limited to reconnaissance or bombing: they can play an active role in air combat, air defence and taking out enemy aircraft. That makes them a serious factor in future conflicts. Cheaper, autonomous aircraft operating together can create numbers that no traditional air force can match. That is the future of air forces worldwide.
