[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]

6 clusters · 26 sources · 38 days · First seen · Last updated

Boeing Ghost Bat drone program

Overview

The Australian‑designed MQ‑28 Ghost Bat entered operational service in early July 2026, making its first appearance in a large‑scale multinational drill during Exercise Valiant Shield. Operating near the Marianas Islands, the drone integrated with U.S. Air Force platforms, including F‑35As and E‑3 AWACS, to test human‑machine teaming tactics.

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing showcased the Ghost Bat as the most mature model in the emerging “collaborative combat aircraft” market. The drone features a Mach 0.9 top speed, a 3,700 km range, and a modular architecture capable of carrying up to 900 kg of payload or two AIM‑120 AMRAAM missiles. Boeing highlighted that the unit cost is projected to be roughly one‑third of a manned F‑35.

International partnerships are expanding to support the program. German firm Hensoldt signed an MOU to provide avionics and mission‑system integration, while Rheinmetall will act as a system integrator to incorporate sovereign German sensors and weapons. This collaboration aims to establish advanced unmanned capabilities for the Luftwaffe by 2029. Other partners include Italy’s Leonardo, providing an infrared search‑and‑track system, and Eaton, developing specialized internal payload ejectors.

While the U.S. Air Force aims to field more than 150 autonomous jets by the end of the decade, analysts expect widespread adoption only after the mid‑2030s. Competition remains intense as General Atomics, Anduril, and Airbus accelerate their own autonomous-drone projects in a multi‑billion‑dollar race.

Entities

German Air Force · Rheinmetall · MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Boeing

Timeline

  1. 11 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Boeing and Rheinmetall partner to advance German drone capabilities

    Boeing and Rheinmetall are partnering to integrate the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone into the German military, aiming to establish sovereign uncrewed combat aircraft capabilities by 2029.

  2. 27 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat unveiled at Farnborough airshow

    Boeing unveiled the MQ-28 Ghost Bat at Farnborough, detailing its flight‑tested missile launch, new German, Italian and US partners, and a major Australian contract.

  3. 29 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Farnborough Airshow Highlights Surge in Unmanned Combat Jets

    At the Farnborough Airshow, defense firms dominated with unmanned combat jets like Boeing’s Ghost Bat and General Atomics’ FQ‑42A, highlighting a shift toward cheaper autonomous aircraft as part of a broader 6‑

  4. 29 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
    Boeing's Ghost Bat drone leads multi‑billion autonomous combat aircraft race

    Boeing's Ghost Bat drone, displayed at Farnborough, has completed live‑fire tests and secured a $528 m contract with Australia, while German firm Hensoldt signed to supply sensors for the MQ‑28, marking a multi

  5. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources
    Boeing unveils Ghost Bat autonomous combat drone at Farnborough airshow

    Boeing showcased its MQ‑28 Ghost Bat autonomous combat drone at Farnborough, emphasizing its ability to operate with manned fighters, its high‑altitude and long‑range capabilities, and its lower cost versus man

  6. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Joins US Air Force in Valiant Shield 2026 Exercise

    Boeing’s Australian‑made MQ‑28 Ghost Bat drone joined U.S. and allied forces in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, marking its first multinational deployment and testing collaborative combat aircraft concepts.

Sources

aerotelegraph.com · airway.com.br · avioblog.it · bundeswehr-journal.de · capital.fr · defence-industry.eu · digitaljournal.com · drweb.de · euro-sd.com · exame.com · kapitalmarktexperten.de · kurier.at · kyrktalet.se · m.novinky.cz · militaryleak.com · mix929.com · newsweek.ro · patria.cz · planobrazil.com · stichtingverslaving.nl · strategie-technik.de · tradeinvestsa.co.za · tremer.com · ukdefencejournal.org.uk · upday.com · wxerfm.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history