Australia Commits $1.4B to Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat Following Successful Missile Test
Australia has recently declared a significant $1.4 billion investment in its Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft. This announcement comes on the heels of a groundbreaking weapons test conducted on December 8, 2024.
The Australian-designed and manufactured drone successfully obliterated an airborne target using an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. This trial took place at the Woomera Range Complex in South Australia, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s defense technology.
Functioning as a loyal wingman to a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Ghost Bat achieved a significant milestone. This achievement underscores Australia’s leading position in the global collaborative combat aircraft technology sphere.
The investment encompasses contracts for six operational Block 2 aircraft and the development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype. This move transitions the program from an experimental phase to a fully operational warfighting capability.
The Ghost Bat program bolsters more than 440 high-skilled jobs nationwide. Over 70% of the program expenditure is directed towards the Australian industry, benefiting more than 200 suppliers.
Source: Defence Connect