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MQ-28 CCA deployed at operational RAAF Base
For the first time, Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have deployed to and operated the MQ-28 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) at an operational Air Force base.
Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory was a proof point for the autonomous aircraft’s ability to establish operations and deploy from any location, particularly unfamiliar environments.
“Boeing is well advanced in proving MQ-28’s operational capability and this is another significant milestone in demonstrating the utility of the aircraft across varying scenarios,” said Glen Ferguson, Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 global program director, in a company news release.
The first mission at a deployed location was achieved within a seven day period in April to test and demonstrate the ability to deploy the capability in a C-17, establish and conduct operations and then redeploy within a short period of time.
“This deployment highlights the maturity of our program and provides a strong foundation for future capability demonstrations including teaming with crewed RAAF assets,” Ferguson said.
“It was also an opportunity for us to execute some of the elements required to integrate MQ-28 into the force mix including interacting with multiple Defence organisations and units.”
MQ-28 CCA controlled by single operator onboard RAAF E-7A
As already reported, in a first of its kind demonstration, recently Boeing and the RAAF have successfully conducted a mission against an airborne target using two in-flight MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft and a third digital aircraft, all controlled from an airborne E-7A Wedgetail.
During the mission, a single operator onboard the E-7A took control of the uncrewed MQ-28s emulating the role they play in flying ahead of and protecting crewed assets.
During the mission, a single operator onboard the E-7A took control of the uncrewed MQ-28s emulating the role they play in flying ahead of and protecting crewed assets.
This trial demonstrated family-of-systems integration, the strength of RAAF/Boeing open systems architecture, and is a critical first step towards integrating mission partners’ software and communications systems natively into the E-7A Wedgetail.
It not only validated a key element of the MQ-28 concept of operations, but also how CCA can expand and enhance the role of the E-7A to meet future force requirements.
The Ghost Bat
CD25 will demonstrate MQ-28 operational effectiveness and how collaborative combat aircraft will integrate and operate with RAAF crewed assets.
Future events will involve teaming with other assets, including F/A-18F and F-35.
Designed and developed by Boeing in Australia, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat aims to provide a transformational capability for global defense customers. This purpose-built aircraft is a force multiplier for global allied militaries and can be missionized to suit country-specific needs.
The Boeing MQ-28 is a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) which uses smart human-machine technology to be that force multiplier.
The MQ-28 delivers affordable combat mass to complement and enhance crewed and uncrewed air domain missions.
- Fighter-like performance – measuring 38 feet long (11.7m) and able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles to support crewed and uncrewed assets.
- Extend the mission – fuses sensor and payload information from multiple aircraft to complement and extend intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, tactical early warning missions and more.
- Rapid capability insertion – based on open-source architecture, MQ-28 provides mission flexibility and allows rapid reconfiguration and customisation of onboard systems, enabling allied forces to exploit rapid innovation cycles and be responsive to changing threat environments.
- Affordable, intelligent combat mass – enhances the operational effectiveness of existing platforms.
Photo credit: Boeing, Royal Australian Air Force
