Boeing Phantom Works MQ-28A (Ghost Bat)

History of the Boeing Phantom Works MQ-28A (Phantom Bat)

Boeing, supported by the Australian government, has introduced the Air Force Formation System (ATS), a modular drone designed to collaborate with existing piloted warplanes. Developed by Boeing's Phantom Works International, the ATS drone was revealed in 2019 as part of the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program. It aims to showcase technology capabilities and eventually achieve full autonomy, capable of operating alongside both AI and piloted aircraft. Funding from Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force has been pivotal in making this project a reality, fostering local production and defense industry growth.

The ATS drone boasts features like an elongated nose, air intakes, wing main planes, and a V-shaped tail. It is engineered to have a range of approximately 2,300 miles and can operate effectively on both land and water. Inside, the drone can be outfitted with various mission payloads, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance tools, and electronic warfare capabilities, adapting to different operational needs.

If the ATS program succeeds, it could mark a significant advancement in warfare, ushering in an era where AI and drones play a dominant role on the battlefield, potentially leading to scenarios where unmanned vehicles take precedence over human involvement.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 2026

Origins: Australia

Status: Under development. Program is running.

Crew: 0

Production: 5

Manufacturer: The Boeing Company / Boeing Australia - USA / Phantom Works International; BAe Systems - Australia

Carrier: Australia (possible); US (possible)

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

X-Plane (development, prototyping, tech demos)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Unmanned

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Wing sweep

The main plane or leading edge has retraction lines for improved high-speed performance and handling.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance

The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Unmanned operation

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 38.0 feet (11.58m)

Main aircraft structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Swipe back

The floor plan features a swept wing along the leading edge of the main aircraft, promoting higher operating speeds.

Performance

Installed: 1 x turbofan of unknown make, model and thrust.

Area: 2,302 km (3,705 km | 6,862 nautical miles)

Armor

None. Mission components consist of equipment focused on intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) roles and use a modular approach.