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FARNBOROUGH, England—Boeing is considering multiple operational MQ-28 Ghost Bat production sites as it pursues markets for the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) while prepping for production to start for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) first operational jets.
“We'd rather have many small factories building them, localized for countries to meet their own local needs, than having one mega-factory,” Boeing MQ-28 Program Director Glen Ferguson said at the Farnborough Airshow.
Boeing plans to induct production of the first MQ-28 this year for delivery to the RAAF and its ambition is to be operational with the CCA in 2028, Ferguson said. The company plans an initial production rate of two aircraft per month, scaled to meet Australia’s needs, but that could easily go higher, he noted.
The initial configuration going into production will be the Blk. 2 version of Ghost Bat, with the company planning a cutover into the Blk. 3 around 2029. That version features a larger wing, takes maximum takeoff weight to 12,000 lb. from 10,000 lb. and will be able to carry two AIM-120 Amraam missiles or four Small Diameter Bombs. The 3.3-m (10.8-ft.) additional wingspan is largely to intended to accommodate greater fuel capacity.
“It's all about additional missions, range and payloads,” Ferguson said.
As part of its push to drive interest abroad, Boeing is trumpeting the ability for governments to modify the system as needed and the flexibility offered by the modular nose.
“We're providing the opportunity for sovereign for countries to put their own sovereign weapons in,” Ferguson said. He also confirmed the company is working with MBDA to support a Meteor missile test shot, adding, “we want to have every single missile available to us.”
As part of its international push, Boeing also said at Farnborough that Hensoldt had joined its team of German suppliers to support the MQ-28 push in Germany that was disclosed at the ILA Berlin expo in June. As it looks at other opportunities in Europe, it also said Leonardo has been a program partner for some time, providing the infrared search-and-track system, and that Eaton would provide a weapons launcher that can also come in a setup that does not fall under U.S. arms transfer limit rules.
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