The MQ-28A Ghost Bat might be flying with other aircraft capable of autonomous operations like attack and defense. Such a drone vehicle is seen as a force multiplier in human-drone tandems in military aircraft operations.
Many countries are developing versions of the loyal wingman concept to accompany 5th and 6th generation aircraft as a secondary unit.
Australian Military Combat Aircraft
On March 21, an event headed by Australia's Defense Minister Peter Dutton at a Royal Australian Air Force base in Queensland introduced the Ghost Bat as the first aircraft made in Australia in 50 years; it was developed with the help of Boeing.
The name comes from a native mammal down under the hunts and detects prey as a group. Australia first announced this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in May 2020. It is conceived as a UAV with artificial intelligence that can be commanded or be autonomous in flight.
Test done on the drone were high-speed taxi tests when it flew in March 2021, noted Aerotime; also, the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (WTB) in the south part of Australia is where Boeing will assemble it.
Glen Ferguson, the director of Airpower Teaming System Australia and International at Boeing, says its description of the aircraft's sensors and its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR suite) will be the first Australian concept.
MQ-28A Ghost Bat Capabilities
The Ghost Bat is developed from Boeing's use of digital engineering with production methods that allow a quick three years from concept to actual aircraft.
Boeing's brand name for global clients will retain the Airpower Teaming System. However, the RAAF Loyal Wingman development program moniker will be retired.
Envisioned by the RAAF and Boeing, the drone will give operation flexibility as a UAV used in modern air battles foreseen as its eventual use.
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat will secure and maintain Australia's most valuable combat aircraft, such as F-35s, Super Hornets, Growlers, and the pilots who fly them. The Australian Defense Force would benefit from the autonomous aircraft's increased agility and capacity.
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The Loyal Wingman initiative has acquired approximately $111 million (A$150 million) from the Australian government. As production rises in the coming years, more job opportunities are anticipated to witness significant growth, reported the EurAsian Times.
The Australian government asked for three Ghost Bats UAVs as its first units, but more was bought in no time. Its successful test flight in February 2021 prompted the acquisition of Canberra.
Boeing tested two Ghost Bat UAVs in South Australia's Woomera Range Complex, one of the critical tests.
Developing the drone involved 35 local firms in Australia that worked on the components built to print. These companies include Ferra Engineering, AME Systems, and other firms involved in the program.
Its fuselage uses a novel resin-infusion technology. Composite materials are created, resulting in a lighter and more resilient platform. Via digital engineering and advanced composites will enable the aircraft to accomplish its cost and agility objectives.
Its size is 11.7 meters long and 7.3 meters wide; it flies at less than the supersonic speed with a 2,000-kilometer combat radius.It can do tandem and solo missions as control sees fit. It is armed with sensor packages that would allow it to carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks and strategic early-warning operations.
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat offers the next-generation capability for the RAAF in the next theatre aerial combat with unmanned vehicles as partners for aircraft to protect pilots.
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