The Ghost Bat Drone - Boeing Australia's New Secret Weapon | Talking Tactics with Mel Pikos

What is the Ghost Bat Drone? Let’s take a look at the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a cutting-edge drone developed in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force. Discover how this innovative autonomous system, with its advanced AI integration, is reshaping modern warfare and enhancing Australia's defence capabilities.

From its sleek design to its versatile applications in reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is poised to become a game-changer in air combat operations. It will seamlessly integrate with crewed aircraft, serving as a loyal wingman and force multiplier on the battlefield.

I’m looking into the collaborative efforts between Boeing, the Australian Air Force, and over 55 Australian local industry partners in the development and manufacturing of this Australian-made military marvel. With over $1 billion invested in the project, plus Boeing’s construction of a state-of-the-art final assembly facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, the Ghost Bat represents a significant milestone in Australia's defence manufacturing sector.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts on whether you believe the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a necessary investment for Australia's defence infrastructure. Don't miss out on this in-depth analysis of one of the most exciting developments in drone technology. Like, share, and subscribe to stay tuned for more insights into the future of military innovation.

Today, we’re talking tactics.

#ghostbat #australianmilitary #defencespending

00:00 Introduction
01:13 What is the Ghost Bat?
03:24 How It Was Designed and Built
04:35 The Practical Applications of the Ghost Bat
05:39 How Much Will It Cost?
06:45 The Role of Boeing Australia
08:39 Why Is It Called The Ghost Bat?
09:23 Do You Think Australia Needs A Military Drone Fleet?

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[corvanphoenix]

The MQ-28 is up to its 2nd generation already. So it's a massive achievement. I'm proud af!

[artistjoh]

Ghost Bat is brilliant, for the air force. The Australian army is also introducing its own Australian designed and built drone called the Owl. It is a loitering suicide drone with a 200km range, is electrically powered, very quiet, and carries anti armor and fragmentation munitions. We are entering a new era, and Australia is a leading player in the lethal drone segment.

[HenriHattar]

The Ghost Bat will be more than it's publcity says. In the last week a Ghost Shark - 3 of them actually, were put into the water on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy - these are unmanned underwater subs.

[stevetyrrell]

It's impressive to see how Boeing and the Australian Air Force have built a platform that serves as a force multiplier and adapts to changing needs. Great video, Mel Pikos! Can't wait to see what this drone means for the future of air combat.

[novakillbones]

A few points to make. Firstly, one of the big advantages of an aircraft like the MQ-28 is that it's cheap as chips. Unit cost will be around $2million so we should be able to deploy 40 MQ-28s for the cost of one F-35. It's also project with massive export potential, bringing billions of dollars worth of foreign sales to our shores.

I'd also point out that we already have a very robust high-tech defense industry that has won more than a $1billion worth of projects to make parts for every F-35 that Lockheed Martin build so the MQ-28 will build off an already strong base.

[edwardfletcher]

A video on the new Aussie Sypaq cardboard drone being sent to Ukraine would be excellent 👍

[gryphus]

Build many more Ghost bats and build a twin engine Ghost Bat! These are essential RAAF gear!

[jackrelaxed]

Cicero: "To maintain peace you must prepare for war." Very well done for forging a pathway for defence independence.

[timlewis]

Brilliant investment. Not only within the context of military conflict, but peace-time border patrol, SAR and other commercial applications are likely to spawn from this 1st generation use case. With Antarctica and the NW Coastline left exposed, these little gems will be in a position to help out when needed.

[stevew]

It sound like a commercial for ghostbat, full of defence TLAs. In your description I heard a lot about its combat capabilities, but i could see nowhere for weapons to be loaded, there are no mounting points on the wings and it appears too small for internal weapons, happy to be corrected.

[stupidburp]

Sounds like you just read out marketing materials. A script that deviates from press releases enhances credibility.

[peterbuckley]

You want to have a look at the Poseidon as well, it’s another example of world beating technology developed right here in Australia.

[billtudman]

Will you be covering the Australian designed Ghost Shark autonomous submarine?

[russwilson]

Would be very interested in the new Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) MC-55A Peregrine airborne ISR and EW aircraft. This acquisition seems to slip through most discussions when defence procurements come up.

[coreycooper]

Its great to see the RAAF and now the Australian Army are now going full speed into Autonomous Warfare the Army successfully tested autonomous M113 prototype not long ago don't know how successful but we reckon it was somewhat successful.

[MichelleScott-rc]

Mel I like your style - is there any chance you can do something for the reorganisation of the ARES in WA?

[nedkelly]

How about do some videos on Australian hypersonics and how Australia helped USA in theirs during HIFIRE tests.
Some info on Australian Ray Stalker first to get essence of flight from scramjets and how Austrlian company has world fastest scramjet at mach 12 and test fly a scramjet hypersonic drone next year and just won a USA HYCAT DUI contract to build USA hypersonic vehicles.
Americas scramjet hypersonic missiles were developed under AUKUS and SCIFIRE joint USA Australia hypersonics.
No American journalist saids this but is all in the records.
Chinese even stole Ray Stalker Australian free piston shock tunnels that test hypersonic vehicle and engines.

[philiplewis]

Start with "safe" deploying them alongside each regional surveillance aircraft and tanker aloft to give them added defensive capabilities in case some adversary decided to target them. NZ could use a dozen as well to greatly enhance their airforce.

[TrumpAndKamila]

What modules/ weapons etc can is carry?

[hammer]

Yes, the Ghost Bat 🦇 is a good investment. Not only boosting our military but creates jobs and maybe even sales to overseas nations. 👍🏼