What's Happening?
The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft made its public flying debut at Australia's Woomera test range. Two MQ-28s participated in the flight, showcasing their capabilities to reporters. The aircraft has completed 150 hours of flight testing and over 20,000 hours of virtual testing, achieving key milestones such as multi-ship operations and data fusion with crewed platforms. The MQ-28 is designed to complement air combat operations with autonomous behaviors, enhancing the effectiveness of existing platforms.
Why It's Important?
The public debut of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat highlights Boeing's advancements in autonomous combat aircraft technology. This development could significantly impact air combat strategies by providing enhanced capabilities with reduced risk to human operators. The MQ-28's ability to operate autonomously and integrate with existing systems may lead to increased operational efficiency and effectiveness for military forces. This technology could influence defense procurement decisions and strategies in the U.S. and other countries interested in autonomous solutions.
What's Next?
Boeing plans to continue developing the MQ-28's capabilities, with an air-to-air weapon test scheduled for later this year or early 2026. The test will involve launching a Raytheon AIM-120 missile from the MQ-28, further demonstrating its combat capabilities. Boeing Defense Australia is producing three Block 2 aircraft for advanced testing, which may lead to further collaborations and potential export opportunities for Boeing's autonomous combat technology.
