BERLIN - Boeing in Arlington, Va., unveiled new capabilities for its MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft at the ILA Berlin Air Show, including increased payload capacity, weapons integration options, beyond-line-of-sight communications, and software enhancements designed to support future allied military operations.
The upgrades are part of Boeing's technology roadmap for the MQ-28, an autonomous aircraft developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force.
According to Boeing, the latest configuration features a 25% larger wing, increasing maximum takeoff weight from 10,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds and providing additional capacity for fuel, mission equipment, and weapons. The company said the aircraft can carry more than 4,500 pounds of payload and stores.
Related:Boeing, RAAF demonstrate airborne control of multiple MQ-28 drones
Additional upgrades
Boeing also announced internal weapons-carriage capability for up to two AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) or four Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs). The aircraft can be configured with two internal weapons stations, each capable of carrying one AMRAAM or two SDBs, and provisions for three external weapons stations.
Additional enhancements include software upgrades compliant with open-architecture government reference standards, enabling operators to integrate mission systems, weapons, payloads, command-and-control functions, and autonomy software tailored to national requirements.
The company also introduced beyond-line-of-sight communications capabilities that enable the aircraft to operate under the control of crewed aircraft, ground stations, or naval platforms at extended ranges.
Other updates include a redesigned modular nose section intended to simplify payload integration and support third-party mission systems.
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Boeing said the new capabilities will be introduced through a spiral upgrade process developed with the Royal Australian Air Force.
German partners
The company also announced the expansion of its German industrial team supporting a proposed MQ-28 offering for Germany. Defense electronics company Rohde & Schwarz and missile manufacturer Diehl Defence joined strategic partner Rheinmetall as part of Boeing's German MQ-28 industry team.
Under the arrangement, Rheinmetall will serve as the systems integration partner for German technologies incorporated into the aircraft. Diehl Defense will support weapons integration activities, while Rohde & Schwarz will contribute communications, mission systems, and command-and-control integration capabilities for potential German military applications.
Boeing said the expanded industry team is intended to support German defense requirements and a potential introduction of the MQ-28 to the German Air Force by 2029.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is one of several collaborative combat aircraft under development globally. Designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft, the platform is intended to perform missions including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, strike operations, and force protection while reducing risk to human pilots.
