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Air · Drone / system

MQ-28 Ghost Bat

An Australian collaborative aircraft programme with modular mission payloads. A December 2025 government commitment covers six Block 2 aircraft and further Block 3 development.

Role & capabilities

  • Collaborative aircraft
  • Runway operation
  • Modular nose and mission-sensor configurations
Order / production commitmentOrder / production commitment
Primary domain
Air
System type
Collaborative aircraft
Developer / manufacturer
Boeing Defence Australia
Origin / production countries
Australia
Other names
Airpower Teaming System; Loyal Wingman
Variants / configurations
Block 1 demonstrators; Block 2 ordered aircraft; Block 3 development
Operators / programme customers
Royal Australian Air Force programme customer

Evidence & current status

The cited order or production decision is distinct from delivery, operational acceptance and the eventual fleet size.

Role & programme

An Australian collaborative aircraft programme with modular mission payloads. A December 2025 government commitment covers six Block 2 aircraft and further Block 3 development.

Australia announced a A$1.4 billion programme boost on 9 December 2025. The award, demonstrated teaming and flight-test milestones establish a substantial programme, but an order for operational aircraft is not a statement that all six have been delivered. Boeing advertises modular sensor integration and high-subsonic performance. The public page does not disclose a complete endurance or payload-mass table, and those gaps remain explicit.

Sourced specifications

Figures apply to the named configuration. Maximum values are not guaranteed operating performance.

SpecificationReported valueContext & source
AirframeJet-powered collaborative aircraftPublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
Launch / recoveryRunway operationPublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
PropulsionJet propulsion; engine model not specified on reviewed product pagePublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
DimensionsNot established from the reviewed sources.Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases. Source ↗
MassUp to 12,000 lb published maximum weight; page does not clearly define the weighing conditionPublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
EnduranceNot established from the reviewed sources.Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases. Source ↗
RangeMore than 2,000 nmi advertised rangePublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
SpeedUp to Mach 0.9Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
AltitudeMore than 40,000 ftPublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
PayloadNot established from the reviewed sources.Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases. Source ↗
SensorsModular nose and mission-sensor configurationsPublished supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance. Source ↗
Communications / navigationNot established from the reviewed sources.Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases. Source ↗

Documented milestones

  1. Block 2 procurement and Block 3 development

    Australian government announced new contracts and programme funding.

    Read the announcement ↗

Publication history

  • — Expanded catalogue profile with sourced specifications, variant distinctions, programme evidence and explicit public data gaps.

Suggest a correction to this entry →

Follow the evidence

Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.

  1. Manufacturer product information (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme source
  2. Australian government programme award, 9 December 2025 (opens in a new tab)Government / operator

Explore the connections

Air · Coverage auditOceania

Oceania defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 1 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read