St. Louis. June 13 - Boeing has unveiled an enhanced version of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, marking a significant advancement in collaborative combat aircraft technology. This loyal wingman unmanned aerial vehicle now features internal weapons bays capable of carrying AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, boosting its air-to-air combat capabilities while maintaining a low-observable stealth profile. Designed to operate alongside manned fighters like the F/A-18F Super Hornet and E-7A Wedgetail, the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone enhances force multiplication in contested environments through advanced autonomy and human-machine teaming.
The latest MQ-28 Ghost Bat variant, showcased at the ILA Berlin Air Show, incorporates a larger wing and increased payload capacity exceeding 4,500 pounds. It can house two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles or four Small Diameter Bombs internally, with options for external hardpoints. Following its successful first live firing of an AMRAAM missile in December 2025 against a target drone, this armed drone demonstrates mature combat readiness for beyond-visual-range engagements and mid-course guidance support.
Military strategists view the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a game-changer for modern aerial warfare, offering persistence, survivability, and cost-effective mission flexibility. Equipped with beyond-line-of-sight communications and an enlarged mission bay, this stealth drone integrates seamlessly into networked operations, reducing risk to pilots while extending sensor and weapons reach. Its development underscores growing demand for autonomous systems in air superiority roles.
As global defense forces seek innovative unmanned solutions, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, armed with AMRAAM missiles, positions Boeing at the forefront of collaborative combat aircraft innovation. With planned service entry for advanced blocks around 2028, this platform promises to redefine tactical aviation through reliable, intelligent drone integration in high-threat scenarios.
