Boeing sees UK role for MQ-28 Ghost Bat as RAF explores autonomous combat aircraft

Boeing Defence UK sees a potential role for its autonomous collaborative combat aircraft with the UK armed forces. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, appearing at Farnborough International Airshow for the first time this year, is well proven in trials and has begun overseas deployments.

At a media briefing this week, Boeing Defence UK managing director Thom Breckenridge commented that,

“With respect to MQ-28, we definitely see some applicability in terms of its capability, and certainly in terms of its maturity, to the UK Armed Forces.”

The UK has committed £300 million to begin developing a national Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability, described in the Defence Investment Plan as a UK autonomous combat aircraft programme. However, no formal request for proposals (RFP) has been issued.

Although Boeing stopped short of saying it had or would definitely offer the MQ-28 to the RAF, Breckenridge said that, as a company, Boeing is “very enthusiastic about the platform and the capability,” and that there was certainly applicability for MQ-28 here in the UK.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat: A rapidly maturing CCA solution

Under development since 2019, the Ghost Bat first flew in 2021 at RAAF Base Woomera. By 2025, it had logged 100 flights and was beginning to be integrated with other aerial assets.

In the last year alone, it’s been controlled by an E-7A Wedgetail, fired an air-to-air missile and worked with the F/A-18. During June 2026’s Exercise Valiant Shield, the MQ-28 operated alongside aircraft including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G and RC-135. Boeing described it as the first collaborative combat aircraft to participate in a multinational joint operational exercise.

In June, Boeing unveiled a development roadmap for the MQ-28 that includes a 25% larger wing, internal weapons stations and beyond-line-of-sight communications. The enhancements are expected to be introduced progressively through a spiral upgrade programme.

Australia remains the MQ-28’s only confirmed customer, having funded or contracted 18 aircraft across three development and production tranches. The latest order covers six operational Block 2 aircraft and an enhanced Block 3 prototype.

There is interest internationally, but not yet a sale. Japan has signed an arrangement enabling formal collaborative combat aircraft activities involving the MQ-28, while the UK and Australia have agreed to progress cooperation on Ghost Bat testing and demonstrations. The US Air Force opted to move ahead with General Atomics’ FQ-42 and Anduril’s FQ-44 for its own CCA programme.

Despite the slow international traction, Boeing believes the Ghost Bat is worth considering for the RAF’s future CCA needs.

Could the MQ-28 be a fit for the RAF?

There are not many CCAs that have been deployed in as wide and varied roles as Boeing’s MQ-28. Added to this, it has been designed to be modular, with a swappable load and options on configurations to make it suitable for a variety of roles.

Although the RAF hasn’t yet begun receiving bids for the CCA programme, Boeing Defence UK believes the Ghost Bat is well-positioned to be considered for the job.

“The maturity of the platform relative to competitors sets it apart,” said Breckenridge, “in addition to the unique capability and the way that it was developed by our colleagues in Australia.”

Should the MQ-28 be considered for the RAF CCA programme, that will mean more work for Boeing Defence UK. The company works to adapt Boeing products to the Ministry of Defence’s operational, industrial and sovereignty requirements.

This can include integrating UK-specific mission systems and payloads, establishing maintenance, training and sustainment in Britain, involving British suppliers and SMEs, and carrying out final assembly or modification work in the UK.

“BDUK could be an important partner in terms of sustainment, in terms of potentially other pieces of that when we think payload or otherwise with respect to MQ-28,” Breckenridge concluded.