The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the world's first purpose-designed loyal wingman combat aircraft, developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. Named after an Australian predatory bat, the MQ-28 is designed to fly alongside manned fighters like the F-35A, extending their sensor range, carrying additional weapons, and acting as a decoy or EW jammer β all autonomously using AI-driven decision-making. Its modular nose section can be swapped between ISR, EW, and strike configurations in hours. At roughly $30 million per unit (one-fifth the cost of an F-35), the Ghost Bat enables attritable mass β commanders can accept losses without catastrophic financial or human cost. The US Air Force has selected MQ-28 for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, potentially leading to purchases of hundreds of units.
TECHNICAL SPECS
COMBAT HISTORY
In testing phase. First flight February 2021. US Air Force selected MQ-28 for Collaborative Combat Aircraft program evaluation.
