Australia Advances Autonomous Air Combat with Ghost Bat and Wedgetail

Introduction: A New Era of Aerial Combat

The June 2025 demonstration of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat teaming with the E-7A Wedgetail marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of aerial warfare. This historic event, conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Boeing, showcased the first successful airborne control of multiple unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) by a single operator aboard an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform. It signals a shift from traditional, pilot-centric air strategies to distributed, autonomous combat systems.

As global powers race to develop loyal wingman programs and sixth-generation airpower capabilities, Australia’s achievement places it at the forefront of autonomous systems integration. The successful demonstration not only validated the operational viability of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat but also redefined the role of the E-7A Wedgetail from a passive surveillance platform to an active battle manager. The implications for air combat doctrine, force structure, and defense economics are profound.

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat: Australia’s Autonomous Vanguard

Origins of the Loyal Wingman Concept

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat originated from the RAAF’s Loyal Wingman, Advanced Development Program (LWADP), launched in 2019 to address the increasing complexity of contested airspaces. As the first combat aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia in over half a century, it reflects a sovereign capability rooted in innovation and urgency. The program aimed to create a force multiplier that could extend the capabilities and survivability of Australia’s existing fighter fleet, including the F-35A Lightning II and EA-18G Growler.

Boeing Australia collaborated with over 35 domestic suppliers to produce a platform comprised of over 70% Australian-made components. Notably, the Ghost Bat features the largest resin-infused composite wing structure in Boeing’s history. The aircraft progressed from concept to first flight in just three years, a testament to the agility of digital engineering and modular design principles.

The Ghost Bat’s development underscores a broader trend in defense procurement: rapid prototyping and fielding of adaptable, mission-configurable platforms. With its modular nose cone and AI-driven autonomy, the MQ-28A can serve in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or kinetic strike roles, adapting to mission needs in real time.

Design and Technological Innovations

The MQ-28A’s 38-foot fuselage emphasizes stealth through aerodynamic shaping rather than reliance on radar-absorbent coatings. This approach reduces its radar cross-section while maintaining structural integrity and ease of maintenance.

AI autonomy lies at the heart of the Ghost Bat’s capabilities. The platform can independently reroute around threats, prioritize targets, and maintain formation with crewed aircraft, all within predefined parameters to ensure human oversight. With a range of over 2,000 nautical miles and high subsonic speeds, the Ghost Bat is designed to operate deep into contested airspace, providing early warning and strike capabilities ahead of manned assets.

This autonomy is not just a technical feature, it’s a strategic asset. By acting as a forward-deployed sensor, decoy, or weapons carrier, the Ghost Bat reduces risk to human pilots and high-value platforms. Its integration into RAAF operations represents a significant step toward a more resilient, distributed force structure.

“The Ghost Bat turns a single fighter into a fighting team, with sensors that act as hundreds of eyes in the sky.”, RAAF Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney

The E-7A Wedgetail Demonstration: A Force Multiplier in Practice

Mission Overview and Achievements

The June 2025 demonstration at Woomera Test Range validated the operational concept of a single operator aboard an E-7A Wedgetail controlling multiple MQ-28As. During the trial, two physical Ghost Bats and a third digital twin UAV simulated a coordinated attack on an airborne target. This marked the first time an AEW&C platform actively managed combat UAVs in real-time.

Three core capabilities were proven: interoperability, sensor fusion, and autonomous behavior. The E-7A’s mission systems, enhanced with open-architecture software developed by Boeing Defence Australia, the Defence Science and Technology Group, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, orchestrated the UAVs without requiring hardware modifications. Ghost Bats relayed multispectral sensor data to the Wedgetail, enabling a unified battlespace picture and real-time decision-making.

Perhaps most notably, the UAVs demonstrated independent evasive maneuvers against simulated surface-to-air missile threats while maintaining formation. This level of autonomy, combined with centralized coordination, reflects a new paradigm in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

Strategic Advantages and Operational Impact

The integration of MQ-28As with the E-7A Wedgetail provides several strategic advantages. First, the combination of the Wedgetail’s 1,000+ km radar range and the Ghost Bat’s 3,700 km endurance allows for expansive surveillance and engagement capabilities, particularly in maritime regions like the South China Sea. This extended reach enhances Australia’s ability to project power and maintain situational awareness across vast distances.

Second, the use of unmanned systems reduces risk to human operators and high-value assets. The E-7A, with an estimated cost of US$300 million per unit, can remain outside contested zones while Ghost Bats operate in forward areas. This distributed risk model enhances survivability and mission resilience.

Third, the system is inherently scalable. A single E-7A Wedgetail could theoretically manage dozens of Ghost Bats, enabling saturation attacks or persistent surveillance using a distributed network of autonomous nodes. This scalability is critical in future conflict scenarios involving peer or near-peer adversaries with advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities.

Global Context and Competitive Landscape

International Loyal Wingman Programs

The MQ-28A demonstration places Australia among global leaders in loyal wingman development. In the United States, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program aims to produce UAVs compatible with the F-35 and Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platforms by 2030. The U.S. Air Force has shown interest in the MQ-28A as a testbed and potential risk-reduction platform for CCA.

Other nations are also advancing similar concepts. Turkey’s TAI Anka-3 became the first armed UAV to be controlled by another aircraft in 2024, while China’s AVIC Dark Sword is rumored to feature swarming capabilities for coordinated saturation attacks. These developments underscore a global shift toward AI-enabled, team-based air combat.

What sets the MQ-28A apart is its emphasis on modularity and coalition interoperability. Boeing has framed the Ghost Bat as a blueprint for allied operations, suggesting potential integration with NATO and Indo-Pacific partners. This positions Australia not only as a technology leader but also as a strategic enabler within allied defense networks.

Industrial and Economic Implications

Australia’s investment of A$1.1 billion in the MQ-28A program has yielded significant economic dividends. Manufacturing facilities in Toowoomba and Melbourne have created over 500 high-tech jobs, and the platform’s modular design offers export potential. A 2024 agreement with the U.S. Navy to co-develop the Ghost Bat could further expand its market reach.

However, challenges remain. The MQ-28A’s estimated unit cost of A$45 million (US$30 million) is significantly higher than competitors like the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, which costs around US$3 million. Additionally, export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) may limit sales to non-Five Eyes allies.

Despite these hurdles, the Ghost Bat’s success demonstrates the viability of mid-tier UCAVs as force multipliers. Its development showcases how smaller nations can lead in niche defense technologies through focused investment and public-private collaboration.

Conclusion: The Future of Combat Airpower

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat and E-7A Wedgetail demonstration marks a watershed moment in aerial warfare. By proving the feasibility of manned-unmanned teaming at an operational level, Australia has set a precedent for how air forces can leverage AI, autonomy, and modular design to achieve strategic advantage. The shift from platform-centric to network-centric warfare is no longer theoretical, it’s happening now.

Looking ahead, the integration of Ghost Bats with F-35s, E-7As, and future hypersonic drones could form the backbone of a “combat cloud” capable of overwhelming adversaries through distributed, coordinated action. As geopolitical tensions rise and defense budgets tighten, systems like the MQ-28A offer a scalable, survivable, and cost-effective path forward. The future of air superiority may not lie in a single aircraft, but in the intelligent collaboration of many.

FAQ

What is the MQ-28A Ghost Bat?
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. It is designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft as a “loyal wingman.”

What was significant about the June 2025 demonstration?
It was the first time an E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft successfully controlled multiple Ghost Bats in a simulated combat mission, validating manned-unmanned teaming capabilities.

How does the Ghost Bat enhance Australia’s defense capabilities?
It extends the range, survivability, and flexibility of the RAAF’s airpower by acting as a forward-deployed sensor, decoy, or strike platform, reducing risk to human pilots and high-value assets.

Sources: Boeing Media Room, Defence Science and Technology Group, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Australian Department of Defence, Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney (RAAF), Boeing Defence Australia