For the first time, Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have deployed to and operated the MQ-28 collaborative combat aircraft at an operational Air Force base. Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory was a proof point for the autonomous aircraft’s ability to establish operations and deploy from any location, particularly unfamiliar environments.
“Boeing is well advanced in proving MQ-28’s operational capability and this is another significant milestone in demonstrating the utility of the aircraft across varying scenarios,” said Glen Ferguson, Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 global program director.
The first mission at a deployed location was achieved within a seven day period in April to test and demonstrate the ability to deploy the capability in a C-17, establish and conduct operations and then redeploy within a short period of time.
“This deployment highlights the maturity of our program and provides a strong foundation for future capability demonstrations including teaming with crewed RAAF assets,” Ferguson said. “It was also an opportunity for us to execute some of the elements required to integrate MQ-28 into the force mix including interacting with multiple Defence organisations and units.”
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Seeing a lot of negative commentary around the the Ghost Bat and it’s current lack of a weapons bay etc., however does any other country have a loyal wingman type system that’s as mature as this? We’re looking at pairing exercises with front line fighters in the next few months, and weapons trials in the next 6 months or so. I don’t think the US is even this close with their programs. Even without a weapons fit, this is going to be a significant capability for the RAAF should they choose to move to the next step and acquire an operational force.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat has a substantial weapons bay. There seems to be some confusion about when weapons testing will begin. For some reason it’s not on the RAAF’s current schedule but Boeing says they will trial something later this year – probably an air-to-air missile.
It’s very difficult to make judgements about levels of maturity because it’s hard to know exactly what is happening in the US, let alone China. Having said that, Ghost Bat is well advanced and hopefully it will go into low rate initial production when the current development phase ends later this year.
It’s amazing isn’t it…I can’t wait to see these come out of full production.
As an aside I wonder how many of these aircraft will be acquired and what roles will they eventually fill.
Looking further forward I wonder what role this aircraft, or a future version of it, will play when we eventually replace the F/A-18F and Growlers.
Interesting times ahead.
The Boeing/RAAF MQ-28 does not have a weapons bay. And weapons testing is scheduled. Keep your eyes open and you will see.
It has been designed to have a weapons bay.
Steve Parker, interim president and chief executive for Boeing Defence, Space and Security, has clearly stated at the last Avalon air show that eventually the MQ-28 will integrate an internal weapons bay.
While the current iteration of the MQ-28 doesn’t have a weapons bay there has been space allocated between the two back bogies for a 2 metre weapons bay.
My guess is that the live missile test being conducted from the MQ-28 will be the Block 2 version.