Boeing says it has validated the stealth performance of its MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft following radar cross-section testing of the Australian-developed drone
The manufacturer stated that the design, materials, and manufacturing processes of the MQ-28 contribute to reducing its radar detectability, despite this requirement having been present in the design for years.
The MQ-28 was developed by Boeing Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed platforms. The drone can perform missions including surveillance, electronic warfare and air combat support while being controlled by onboard autonomous systems.
Boeing did not disclose specific radar cross-section figures or details of the testing campaign.
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The announcement comes days after the company revealed that the MQ-28 had completed its first operational flights outside Australia.
The aircraft recently conducted three flight tests over the Point Mugu Sea Range at Naval Base Ventura County in California, its first operational flights outside Australia. Boeing said the flights were intended to validate autonomous operations and demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations from overseas locations.
According to the company, the California deployment also served to assess the aircraft's export potential and demonstrate interoperability with allied forces.
The MQ-28 first flew in 2021 and has accumulated more than 150 flights during its development program.
Among the milestones cited by Boeing are flight demonstrations involving multiple MQ-28 aircraft operating together, deployments to remote Royal Australian Air Force bases and teaming tests with crewed aircraft including the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft and the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
In one demonstration, Boeing said an MQ-28 operating alongside an E-7A and an F/A-18F autonomously engaged and shot down an airborne target.
The Ghost Bat is one of several collaborative combat aircraft programs being developed worldwide as air forces seek autonomous systems capable of operating alongside fighters, surveillance aircraft and other crewed platforms.
