Australian Defence Minister Hon Peter Dutton
said the seven “Ghost Bats” would enter RAAF service within two years.
Since 2017, the Coalition Government has
invested more than 150 million USD in supporting joint efforts between the RAAF
and Boeing Defence Australia in this programme.
“In just four years, our partnership with
Boeing has successfully designed, produced and flew Australia’s first military
fighter aircraft in 50 years. Today, this investment will see the MQ-28A system
enter service with the RAAF in 2024-25,” said Dutton.
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone, originally named
Loyal Wingman, made its first flight in February 2021. A third aircraft is
currently being prepared for flight tests in late 2022.
These drones will utilize artificial
intelligence to coordinate flights with manned aircraft.
Ghost Bat is designed to be able to perform
various missions, including ISR. The drones will also protect manned assets
such as the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet and the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail early
warning and control aircraft currently in RAAF service.
The MQ-28A has a flying range of over 3,700
km.
