Boeing has revealed the latest and most advanced version of its MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), introducing major upgrades designed to push the unmanned combat aircraft closer to operational service with modern air forces.
The new Block 3 configuration of the Ghost Bat was unveiled at the ILA Berlin airshow in Germany, where officials from Boeing Australia and German defense company Rheinmetall presented the aircraft as a potential solution for Germany’s future CCA requirements. The upgraded drone features a larger wing, increased engine performance, internal weapons bays, beyond-line-of-sight communications, and expanded payload capacity.
Already considered one of the world’s most mature collaborative combat aircraft designs, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat has been developed as a loyal-wingman-style platform capable of operating alongside crewed aircraft while also conducting independent missions. The Block 3 represents a significant evolution of the aircraft, adding capabilities intended for operations in highly contested environments where stealth, range, and survivability are critical.
“This is the aircraft that we are offering to Germany,” said Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 Global Program Director, during the rollout ceremony. “This is the third iteration of design now, and we are on point to build out first [Block 3] aircraft next year.”
The previous Block 1 and Block 2 versions of the Ghost Bat have already completed more than 150 test sorties in Australia and the United States. Australia has purchased eight Block 1 aircraft, which serve as pre-production prototypes, while the first nine Block 2 aircraft are currently being built as a transition toward a fully operational capability.
The Block 3 aircraft is expected to represent the configuration closest to a combat-ready system.
One of the most significant changes in the new variant is the introduction of a larger wing. Boeing has increased the wing size by approximately 25 percent, improving aerodynamic efficiency and allowing the aircraft to carry additional fuel, sensors, and weapons.
The aircraft also receives a thrust increase from 10,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds. Boeing has not publicly detailed how this additional power will be achieved, but the combination of higher thrust and increased wing area will provide greater operational flexibility.
According to Ferguson, the Block 3 upgrade provides approximately 2,000 pounds of additional capacity for fuel, weapons, and mission equipment.
“That additional capacity gives operators freedom to balance payload and endurance to configure for the mission at hand,” Ferguson explained. “Whether that means carrying extra fuel for longer-range operations, increasing weapons carriage, or any combination of both.”
The added capacity is particularly important for a platform designed to perform multiple roles, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and combat missions. The Ghost Bat’s ability to adapt its payload configuration could allow operators to tailor the aircraft for specific battlefield requirements.
Perhaps the most important upgrade in Block 3 is the addition of internal weapons bays.
The new bays are located within the aircraft’s slab-sided fuselage and allow the Ghost Bat to carry weapons internally while maintaining its low-observable characteristics. This is a major step for the platform because external weapons often increase radar signature and reduce survivability in heavily defended airspace.
Each internal weapons bay can carry either one AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) or two Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs). The aircraft can accommodate either the GBU-39/B SDB I or the newer GBU-53/B SDB II StormBreaker precision-guided munition.
The ability to carry AIM-120 missiles internally is especially notable because the Ghost Bat becomes the first known collaborative combat aircraft design to demonstrate an internal carriage option for the weapon.
Boeing has also recently validated the Ghost Bat’s radar cross-section performance, confirming that the aircraft’s stealth features are designed to improve survivability in contested air environments.
“The combination of a highly capable platform, stealth features and advanced autonomy provides unprecedented ability for air forces to extend their mission effectiveness and operational flexibility,” said Brad Thompson, director for Phantom Works Australia, following the radar testing.
In addition to internal weapons storage, the aircraft retains three external weapons stations. One external station has already been tested during an end-to-end engagement where an AMRAAM missile successfully destroyed a target drone.
With the increased thrust, larger wing, internal bays, and external stations, the Ghost Bat could potentially carry a significant mixed weapons load, including multiple air-to-air missiles or a combination of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.
This capability supports one of the aircraft’s intended roles: protecting high-value aircraft such as airborne early warning platforms and aerial refueling tankers while operating alongside fighter aircraft.
Another major addition to Block 3 is beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications.
The new capability allows the aircraft to be controlled from much greater distances using satellite communications links. The Ghost Bat can now potentially operate from ground stations, naval vessels, or crewed aircraft without requiring a direct communications connection.
With a reported range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, the addition of BLOS control significantly expands the aircraft’s ability to conduct independent operations.
The capability is also important in electronic warfare environments, where communications networks may be disrupted or attacked. Satellite communications provide another layer of resilience and could allow the aircraft to continue operating in complex combat scenarios.
“Inclusion of features such as BLOS capability is a direct result of our learnings to date along with feedback from air forces as they understand more about the role and integration of CCAs into joint force operations,” Ferguson said.
The Berlin unveiling highlights Boeing and Rheinmetall’s effort to position the MQ-28 as a candidate for Germany’s emerging collaborative combat aircraft requirement.
The two companies formed a strategic partnership to offer the Ghost Bat to the German Armed Forces, with the goal of delivering the aircraft by the end of the decade.
“At the moment, we are still in negotiations with the German government, but if they want to have the plane by 2029, my expectation is that by at least next year, we have to go into the final stage of negotiating the contract,” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told Breaking Defense.
Germany’s interest in CCAs comes as European militaries increasingly explore unmanned aircraft capable of supporting advanced fighter fleets. The Luftwaffe is preparing for future combat aviation requirements, including operations involving electronic warfare aircraft and next-generation air combat systems.
The ILA Berlin airshow reflected this growing interest, with multiple companies showcasing combat drone concepts.
Airbus displayed its new U760 Ravenstorm, a combat drone designed for missions including air-to-air combat, strike operations, and electronic warfare. The company is also promoting a European version of the stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie as a lower-cost option with runway-independent operating capability.
U.S. manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems presented a full-scale model from its Gambit drone family and confirmed discussions with Germany regarding its CCA needs.
German company Helsing also introduced its CA-1 Europa family of combat drones, including electronic attack and kinetic attack variants. The company is developing the aircraft to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft and future electronic warfare platforms.
Even if Germany selects another aircraft for its future CCA fleet, Boeing continues to advance the Ghost Bat with strong support from Australia.
The Royal Australian Air Force has committed to upgrading earlier aircraft toward the Block 3 standard through a spiral development program.
“These features, developed in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, will be progressively released to the fleet through a spiral upgrade program, and are available to interested allied countries,” Ferguson said.
Boeing expects the MQ-28 to enter service with Australia in 2028. Ferguson said he believes it could become the first operational collaborative combat aircraft anywhere in the world.
The company is also conducting Ghost Bat test flights from the U.S. Navy’s base at Point Mugu, California. Boeing says the trials are intended to demonstrate aircraft maturity and support export opportunities, though they could also attract interest from U.S. military organizations.
The future CCA market remains highly competitive, and requirements are still evolving. Governments will need to determine how unmanned combat aircraft fit alongside existing fighters, future sixth-generation platforms, and autonomous systems.
However, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat Block 3 demonstrates how quickly the collaborative combat aircraft sector is developing. With improved stealth, greater payload capacity, longer-range control, and operational experience already behind it, Boeing’s latest Ghost Bat represents one of the most advanced steps yet toward integrating autonomous combat aircraft into future air forces.
