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Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

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MQ-28 Ghost Bat
A Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat during a high-speed taxi test
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Australia
Manufacturer
First flight 27 February 2021[1][2]
Introduction 2024-25 (planned)
Status Under development
Primary user Royal Australian Air Force
Number built 2[3]

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, previously known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) and the Loyal Wingman project, is a stealth, multirole, unmanned aerial vehicle in development by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is designed as a force multiplier aircraft capable of flying alongside manned aircraft for support and performing autonomous missions independently using artificial intelligence.[4]

Development

The Ghost Bat is an unmanned aircraft, with a current planned introduction date in 2024-25,[5] which incorporates artificial intelligence and utilises a modular mission package system in the nose where the entire nose of the aircraft can be removed and quickly swapped for another nose with a different set of equipment or armaments for various missions including combat, force reconnaissance and electronic warfare.[6] One role will be to support and protect manned Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, such as the F-35A, F/A-18F, E-7A, and KC-30A whilst they conduct operations.[5] The UAV will be designed to act as a "loyal wingman" that is controlled by a parent aircraft to accomplish tasks such as scouting or absorbing enemy fire if attacked as well as operating independently.[7][8]

The aircraft will be the first combat aircraft designed and developed in Australia in over half a century.[9] Boeing has said that it will "depend on the market" whether the aircraft is manufactured in Queensland or the United States.[7] On 21 September 2021, Boeing Australia unveiled the launch of a new manufacturing facility for its Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft at Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, Queensland.[10]

The RAAF initially planned to buy three Airpower Teaming System (ATS) systems, as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program (LWADP).[11] The three drones were built at an automated production line in Brisbane, Queensland. The production line is a proof of concept for full-scale production.[6] The order was increased to six with an A$115M contract days after the first flight.[12]

Unveiling

After a full-scale mock-up was revealed at the 2019 Avalon Airshow, the first real aircraft achieved a power-on of its systems in March 2020, and was rolled out in May 2020 by Boeing Australia with the release of images showing a detailed prototype of the aircraft and a video to illustrate the drone's operational abilities. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “This is a truly historic moment for our country and for Australian defence innovation. The Loyal Wingman will be pivotal to exploring the critical capabilities our Air Force needs to protect our nation and its allies into the future.”

Testing

Boeing announced it powered up the engine of its first Airpower Teaming System (ATS) unmanned aircraft for the first time in September 2020. The engine test is part of ground testing to prepare for first flight before the end of 2020.[13]

The Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) prototype moved under its own power for the first time in October 2020, conducting low-speed taxi tests at RAAF Base Amberley.[14] The Boeing Airpower Teaming System later performed a high-speed taxi test at an unnamed remote location in December 2020.[15]

The first test flight of the prototype occurred at RAAF Base Woomera on 27 February 2021.[1][2]

Two more test flights occurred at RAAF Woomera Range Complex sometime in early November 2021 where a prototype successfully raised and engaged its landing gear while a second prototype completed its first test flight.[16]

Service name

An official naming ceremony was held at RAAF Base Amberley on 21 March 2022 to announce the Loyal Wingman would be known as the MQ-28A Ghost Bat in RAAF service, named after an Australian bat found in northern parts of the Australian continent. The ghost bat is an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, which reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft’s sensors and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance abilities.[17]

Possible USAF use

In August 2022 it was revealed by United States Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall that preliminary discussions were being held into purchasing the MQ-28 for United States service.[18][5]

Specifications

Data from Loyal Wingman[19]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)

Performance

  • Range: 3,700 km (2,300 mi, 2,000 nmi)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Waldron, Greg (2 March 2021). "Australian 'loyal wingman' to form basis of Boeing Skyborg bid". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b de Git, Melanie; Erwin, Ashlee (1 March 2021). "Boeing Loyal Wingman Uncrewed Aircraft Completes First Flight". Boeing MediaRoom. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  3. ^ Australia makes another order for Boeing’s Loyal Wingman drones after a successful first flight - defensenews.com
  4. ^ "Boeing Airpower Teaming System". Boeing. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Newdick, Thomas (24 August 2022). "USAF Eyeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat For Next Gen Air Dominance Program". The Drive. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b Rogoway, Tyler. "Everything We Learned From Boeing About Its Potentially Game-Changing Loyal Wingman Drone". The Drive. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b Pittaway, Nigel (27 February 2019). "Boeing unveils 'loyal wingman' drone". Defense News.
  8. ^ "Boeing Will Unveil This 'Loyal Wingman' Combat Drone for Australias Air Force Tomorrow". The Drive.
  9. ^ Greene, Andrew (27 February 2019). "First glimpse of combat drone set to join Australia's military arsenal". ABC News.
  10. ^ Dowling, Hannah (22 September 2021). ""World First: Wellcamp to host Loyal Wingman manufacturing facility"". Australian Aviation. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  11. ^ "First RAAF Loyal Wingman unmanned combat system rolled out – ADBR". 5 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Three More Loyal Wingman Aircraft to Advance Uncrewed Teaming". Boeing Australia. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Boeing ATS Loyal Wingman engine powers up – ADBR". 15 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Boeing ATS conducts low-speed taxi tests". 22 October 2020.
  15. ^ https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130788#assets_20295_130788-117%7CBoeing Uncrewed Loyal Wingman Conducts First High-Speed Taxi Test
  16. ^ "Loyal Wingman program hits new milestone with 2 new test flights".
  17. ^ "Boeing's Australian-Produced Uncrewed Aircraft to be Named 'MQ-28A Ghost Bat'". MediaRoom. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  18. ^ Insinna, Valerie (22 August 2022). "RAAF head won't be deterred by 'unsafe' PLAAF; US ponders Aussies' Loyal Wingman". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  19. ^ Pittaway, Nigel (April 2019). "Loyal Wingman". Air International. Vol. 96, no. 4. pp. 12–13. ISSN 0306-5634.
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