Avalon 2025: Australia reimagines Ghost Bat as a proving platform and targets future versions
The RAAF envisions following iterations of UAVs being descendants of MQ-28A Ghost Bat. (Photo: Boeing Defence Australia)
Now known as the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the Loyal Wingman notably kept close to promised deadlines such as first flight in February 2021, in spite of originally being promised for 2020.
Boeing Defence Australia unveiled what was then referred to as the Loyal Wingman large stealthy uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Australian International Airshow in Avalon near Melbourne six years ago. It occurred amid much fanfare and the trumpeting that it would be the first Australian designed military aircraft in more than six decades.
The original idea outlined for the UAV was as a multirole platform which could conceivably act as an escort or attack aircraft and while the US side of Boeing continues to look at it in this role, on the opposite side of the Pacific it is
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
