Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Ghost Bat drone makes first deployment in latest milestone

25th June 2025 - 17:30 GMT | by Damian Kemp in Dublin, Ireland

RSS

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat on the tarmac as an F-35A Lightning II taxis after a sortie during Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal. (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia)

In the past 18 months, Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat uncrewed aerial system (UAS) has achieved several milestones including teaming with manned aircraft, achieving 100 flight hours and training of first military pilot.

Boeing’s Ghost Bat MQ-28A UAS has conducted its first flight outside the Woomera Training area in South Australia. It is part of Exercise Carlsbad which is one of a series of test events throughout 2025 that will mature and exhibit the capabilities of the platform.

The exercise took place at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Tindal in the Northern Territory as a proof point for the autonomous aircraft’s ability to establish operations and deploy from any location, particularly unfamiliar environments.

This is Ghost Bat’s first mission at a deployed location. It was achieved within a seven-day period to test

Already have an account? Log in