Australia’s first combat aircraft designed and built in more than 50 years has completed its first flight outside a testing facility.
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone successfully completed its first flight – codenamed Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine in the Northern Territory.
The exercise was part of a broader series of trials to demonstrate the Ghost Bat’s capabilities in a simulated combat scenario.
The MQ-28A is an AI-enabled, autonomous, uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft, designed to fly alongside traditional fighter jets and take on mission roles typically performed by pilots.
Developed by Boeing Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, the Ghost Bat marks a major step forward in Australian aerospace innovation.
Over 80 Australian companies contributed to the program.
‘This is a huge achievement of the collaborative work between the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defence Australia,’ Wing Commander Phillip Parsons said.
‘Our success has also been due to ongoing work with the Collaborative Autonomous Systems Project Office, Air Force Headquarters, Air Warfare Centre, and the local base squadrons at RAAF Base Tindal.’
Live fire testing of air-to-air weapons is planned for late 2025.
The first combat aircraft designed, built and engineered in Australia in more than 50 years recently completed its first flight outside a testing facility
One of the The MQ-28A Ghost Bat’s prepares to launch
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat will save Aussie lives according to the defence force
‘What we’re going to do this year is, we’re going to accelerate into a weapon shot from the drone,’ Boeing Defense, Space & Security interim President and CEO Steve Parker said.
‘We’ll definitely look at air-ground in the future, but our focus priority is air-to-air. And we’ll talk about what the weapon is in the future, at a future point in time.’
Exercise Carlsbad tested the MQ-28A Ghost Bat’s ability to be deployed, redeployed, and operated effectively in unfamiliar conditions.
‘The main intent of Exercise Carlsbad was to understand all the fundamental inputs to capability in relation to the MQ-28A,’ Wing Commander Parsons said.
Before the flight, a series of ground-based checks were conducted to ensure all systems were functioning properly.
Wing Commander Parsons said the aircraft would provide the combat mass needed to defend Australia and its national interests.
‘Capabilities such as the MQ-28A are important as they will save Australian lives and provide us with the combat mass to defend Australia and its national interests,’ Wing Commander Parsons said.
Canberra is optimistic that the Ghost Bat program will open up significant export opportunities for the Australian defence industry.
At least one Ghost Bat has already been seen in the United States.
An F-35A Lightning II, MQ-4C Triton and MQ-28A Ghost Bat on the tarmac at RAAF Base Tindal
