Australia's MQ-28 Ghost Bat Courts Global Buyers at Farnborough | Aviation International News

Farnborough Airshow 2026

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Ahead of the Rest: MQ-28 Nears Australian Service

RAAF will become the first air arm to operate a collaborative combat aircraft

Boeing MQ-28 — Boeing Australia designed the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a simple aircraft with ease of operation and manufacturing in mind. © David McIntosh/AIN

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

July 22, 2026

In 2028, the Royal Australian Air Force aims to become the first air arm in the world to field an advanced collaborative combat aircraft (CCA). Formerly known as the Loyal Wingman, the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has been developed entirely in Australia but has significant global opportunities, especially as it is arguably the most mature of the CCA programs.

The MQ-28 first flew in February 2021, and the test fleet has accumulated some 230 hours over 200 sorties. Eight Block 1 aircraft were built, and the second of them—retired from test duties for some time—is on static display at the Farnborough International Airshow. The last three Block 1 air vehicles will follow shortly as six Block 2 aircraft take over the test burden.

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