The future of aerial warfare is increasingly moving towards coordinated operations involving crewed fighter jets and autonomous aircraft. Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an important example of this emerging approach. Developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the aircraft is designed to operate as a “loyal wingman,” supporting manned platforms through intelligence gathering, surveillance, electronic warfare and strike-related missions. The programme began in 2019 under the Airpower Teaming System initiative. A full-scale prototype was unveiled in 2020, followed by its first flight in 2021. The RAAF officially designated the aircraft MQ-28A Ghost Bat in 2022. Its modular payload configuration, open mission architecture and reported range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles enable it to adapt to different operational requirements. Although several capabilities remain under development and testing, successive trials have demonstrated progress in autonomous teaming and integration with crewed aircraft. In December 2025, Boeing Defence Australia announced an additional order for seven aircraft worth A$754 million, comprising six Block 2 aircraft and the first Block 3 platform. The programme is targeting initial operational capability with the RAAF by 2028, while international interest continues to grow.
