Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Block 3 upgrade introduces longer wings, internal weapons bays, and extended mission range.
Boeing has revealed new details about the next-generation configuration of its MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft, revealing major structural and capability upgrades to extend range, expand weapons capacity, and improve mission flexibility.
The latest disclosures, presented at the 2026 Singapore Airshow, show the program transitioning from a technology demonstrator to a deployable, collaborative combat aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-end air operations.The MQ-28, originally developed in Australia under the Airpower Teaming System initiative, is intended to function as a “loyal wingman,” flying semi-autonomously to provide sensing, electronic warfare, and strike support while reducing risk to crewed aircraft. The forthcoming Block 3 version has the most substantial redesign yet, incorporating both structural growth and expanded mission payload options.Larger wings, internal weapons bays mark key changesAccording to Breaking Defense, the Block 3 MQ-28 will introduce internal weapons bays for the first time, enabling the drone to carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM as well as precision-guided munitions, including the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb. Flight Global noted that each internal bay is expected to accommodate one AMRAAM or multiple small glide bombs, improving survivability by reducing external stores and preserving the aircraft’s low-observable profile.The redesign also increases the wingspan from roughly 6 meters to 7.3 meters , allowing approximately 30% more fuel capacity and significantly extending mission range, an upgrade Boeing officials say is particularly important for long-distance operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Company representatives have emphasized that the larger wing is primarily intended to support endurance and range requirements, rather than to carry a higher payload alone.The aircraft’s modular architecture remains central to the Ghost Bat concept. A detailed report by The War Zone noted that the entire nose section can be swapped to integrate different mission payloads, including infrared search-and-track sensors, electronic warfare packages, or other classified sensor configurations currently under development. Boeing officials indicated that several additional sensor variants are being explored, but have not disclosed technical specifics.Program advances toward operational capability and export marketsThe MQ-28 program is moving steadily toward operational deployment with the Royal Australian Air Force , which is expected to field the aircraft before the end of the decade while also supporting development of the export-oriented Block 3 configuration. Recent trials have demonstrated the drone’s growing combat capability, including a 2025 live-fire test in which a Ghost Bat successfully launched an AIM-120 missile while operating in coordination with crewed fighters and airborne early-warning aircraft, highlighting its role in networked, multi-platform combat formations.TWZ, who were present at the Singapore Airshow, say that Boeing is also positioning the Block 3 design for potential sales across allied Indo-Pacific air forces, reflecting increasing global demand for collaborative combat aircraft that can extend fighter reach at lower cost while operating in contested airspace. Discussions with multiple international partners are underway, and the aircraft’s modular, open-architecture design is intended to allow customers to integrate national sensors and weapons systems with minimal redesign.As development continues, the MQ-28 is emerging as a foundational platform in the rapidly expanding category of collaborative combat aircraft.
Airpower Autonomous Aircraft Block 3 Upgrade Boeing Collaborative Combat Aircraft Combat Drone Defense Technology Drone Fighter Teaming Future Air Combat Ghost Bat Indo-Pacific Defense Loyal Wingman Military Aviation MQ-28 Stealth Drone UAV Unmanned Systems Weapons Integration
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