Rheinmetall and Boeing Defence Australia have announced a partnership to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an autonomous, uncrewed aircraft, to Germany.
The proposal aligns with the Bundeswehr’s plans for a future collaborative combat aircraft program, aimed at introducing uncrewed systems that operate alongside crewed platforms to increase operational mass and flexibility in contested environments.
Developed in Australia by Boeing, the MQ-28 is designed for missions including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike support, using a modular payload architecture.
The platform is being proposed to Berlin with a target operational timeline of 2029, with Rheinmetall set to act as system integrator.
Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will adapt the aircraft to Bundeswehr requirements, integrate it into existing and future command and weapon systems, and provide maintenance and logistical support.
Moreover, the partnership includes establishing local industrial and engineering capacity in Germany, with joint German and Australian teams working on software and hardware integration through a dedicated development environment.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to operate alongside crewed platforms, supporting missions in high-threat environments while reducing pilots’ exposure to risk.
It measures about 38 feet (11.7 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 24 feet (7.3 meters), a height of 6.5 feet (2 meters), and a maximum takeoff weight of around 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms).
With an operating ceiling above 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), the platform is designed for ranges exceeding 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 kilometers/2,300 miles) and speeds approaching Mach 0.9 (1,110 kilometers/690 miles per hour).
The system is built using advanced manufacturing and digital engineering processes that enable scalable production and faster iteration.
According to Boeing, the design targets significantly lower unit costs than traditional crewed aircraft, potentially around one-tenth, allowing for deployment in larger numbers.