Australia has committed $1.4bn to the MQ-28A Ghost Bat programme after a Dec. 8 live‑fire test in which an Australian‑designed Ghost Bat fired an AIM‑120 AMRAAM and destroyed a Phoenix Jet target. Boeing and the RAAF say the engagement—described as the first autonomous air‑to‑air missile firing—validates fighter‑role CCA capabilities.
Discovered |
Briefing
Demonstrates weaponised collaborative combat aircraft: the AMRAAM live‑fire validates the MQ‑28's integrated sensors, data‑sharing and fighter‑role capabilities following earlier detect‑and‑track demonstrations (https://hype.aero/?story=d32dd7d4-b4ae-4e03-8f6b-a33649447581).
Moves the programme toward procurement and sustainment: Australia's $1.4bn commitment signals transition from demo to buy, reinforcing the country's broader push on uncrewed systems R&D (https://hype.aero/?story=c3752a70-5009-43ba-aeb2-f28d6665ae0b).
Implications for missile supply and industrialisation: use of the AIM‑120 in a CCA role highlights demand and follow‑on industrial and production questions for AMRAAM‑class missiles (https://hype.aero/?story=2aa9659f-856b-4990-a1d9-dbea8fe8d62b).
Reported By
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Australia to spend $930m on MQ-28A 'Ghost Bat' UAVs to boost RAAF combat capability • airforce-technology.com
MQ‑28 Ghost Bat fires AIM‑120 in first autonomous live‑fire air combat test • UK Defence Journal
MQ-28A Ghost Bat successfully engages aerial target with AIM-120, validating combat capability • APAC Defence Reporter
Australia Orders Six Ghost Bat ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drones for $930M • defence.m5dergi.com
(FR) AIM-120 AMRAAM fired from MQ-28 drone • aerobuzz.fr
(PT) MQ‑28A conducts live fire of AIM‑120 AMRAAM • forcaaerea.com.br
Boeing MQ-28 'Loyal Wingman' Shoots Down Airborne Target Using AIM-120 AMRAAM • theaviationgeekclub.com
Boeing Advances Autonomous Air-to-Air Engagement • aero-defence.tech
Air-to-air shot a momentous step forward for the Ghost Bat | The Strategist • aspistrategist.org.au
Australian MQ-28 ‘Ghost Bat’ Achieves Air-to-Air Kill in Key Collaborative Combat Aircraft Test • Air & Space Forces Mag
(EL) Australia: Unmanned MQ-28 shoots down target with AIM-120 • flight.com.gr
The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick
Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat completes AIM-120 live-fire, triggering A$1.4bn RAAF production order • aerospaceglobalnews.com
Boeing MQ‑28 Ghost Bat Achieves Live‑Fire Milestone as Australia Orders First Production Fleet • aerospaceglobalnews.com
Boeing and RAAF Demonstrate First Autonomous AIM-120 Air-to-Air Engagement with Ghost Bat • Defense & Security Monitor
(NL) Unmanned MQ-28 Ghost Bat shoots down target drone • pilootenvliegtuig.nl
(TR) US move on MQ-28 after KIZILELMA: AIM-120 AMRAAM fired • savunmasanayist.com
Boeing and RAAF achieve first autonomous AMRAAM launch from MQ-28 Ghost Bat • defence-industry.eu
(ES) Boeing and the RAAF achieve CCA missile launch from the MQ-28 Ghost Bat • aviaciondigital.com