Saab Joins Boeing’s Australian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Team to Enhance Communication with TactiCall System
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On January 13, 2025, Boeing officially announced the integration of Saab into the Ghost Bat industrial team, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) under development. Saab, through its Australian subsidiary, will provide strategic equipment, including the TactiCall communication solution and avionics components produced by the company’s Swedish operations. This partnership highlights international collaboration and underscores Australia’s aim to strengthen its technological capabilities in the defense sector.
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The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a multirole combat drone developed by Boeing Australia for the RAAF (Picture source: Saab)
The TactiCall system, developed by Saab, consolidates various communication technologies into a secure and user-friendly interface, enabling monitoring and sharing of information across multiple classification levels. This solution will be complemented by avionics equipment such as electromechanical actuators and controllers for the primary flight control system, produced in Sweden. According to Andy Keough, Managing Director of Saab Australia, the Ghost Bat represents an opportunity to showcase effective collaboration between global organizations, local industries, and the Australian armed forces.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is the first military aircraft fully designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. Since its maiden flight in 2021, the program has achieved key milestones, including an initial order of ten Block 1 units by the RAAF, followed by the acquisition of three upgraded Block 2 models in February 2024. The Ghost Bat has also garnered international interest, notably from the U.S. Navy, which has dispatched a team to Australia to train and test the system.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a multirole combat drone developed by Boeing Australia for the RAAF. Designed as a “loyal wingman,” it operates alongside piloted aircraft such as the F-35A, F/A-18F, and E-7A for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions. It also features advanced artificial intelligence for autonomous operations. Its modular design allows for quick swapping of payloads in its nose to suit various operational requirements, including electronic warfare or offensive support. With a range exceeding 3,700 kilometers and subsonic flight speeds, the Ghost Bat demonstrates maneuverability comparable to that of fighter jets.
Since its inception in 2017, the MQ-28 program has advanced rapidly, achieving significant milestones. Recent flight tests have demonstrated the drone’s ability to perform complex mission scenarios, sharing real-time information among multiple aircraft. This capability illustrates substantial progress in integrating autonomous systems into modern operations.
Saab’s integration into the Ghost Bat program marks a strategic and technological development. The inclusion of its TactiCall system enhances the drone’s communication capabilities, ensuring efficient management of critical information and improved coordination with manned aircraft. Additionally, the avionics components supplied by Saab provide the reliability and precision necessary for complex autonomous missions. This partnership positions the MQ-28 as a key component in modern defense forces while expanding Australia’s international defense industry prospects.
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On January 13, 2025, Boeing officially announced the integration of Saab into the Ghost Bat industrial team, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) under development. Saab, through its Australian subsidiary, will provide strategic equipment, including the TactiCall communication solution and avionics components produced by the company’s Swedish operations. This partnership highlights international collaboration and underscores Australia’s aim to strengthen its technological capabilities in the defense sector.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a multirole combat drone developed by Boeing Australia for the RAAF (Picture source: Saab)
The TactiCall system, developed by Saab, consolidates various communication technologies into a secure and user-friendly interface, enabling monitoring and sharing of information across multiple classification levels. This solution will be complemented by avionics equipment such as electromechanical actuators and controllers for the primary flight control system, produced in Sweden. According to Andy Keough, Managing Director of Saab Australia, the Ghost Bat represents an opportunity to showcase effective collaboration between global organizations, local industries, and the Australian armed forces.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is the first military aircraft fully designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. Since its maiden flight in 2021, the program has achieved key milestones, including an initial order of ten Block 1 units by the RAAF, followed by the acquisition of three upgraded Block 2 models in February 2024. The Ghost Bat has also garnered international interest, notably from the U.S. Navy, which has dispatched a team to Australia to train and test the system.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a multirole combat drone developed by Boeing Australia for the RAAF. Designed as a “loyal wingman,” it operates alongside piloted aircraft such as the F-35A, F/A-18F, and E-7A for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions. It also features advanced artificial intelligence for autonomous operations. Its modular design allows for quick swapping of payloads in its nose to suit various operational requirements, including electronic warfare or offensive support. With a range exceeding 3,700 kilometers and subsonic flight speeds, the Ghost Bat demonstrates maneuverability comparable to that of fighter jets.
Since its inception in 2017, the MQ-28 program has advanced rapidly, achieving significant milestones. Recent flight tests have demonstrated the drone’s ability to perform complex mission scenarios, sharing real-time information among multiple aircraft. This capability illustrates substantial progress in integrating autonomous systems into modern operations.
Saab’s integration into the Ghost Bat program marks a strategic and technological development. The inclusion of its TactiCall system enhances the drone’s communication capabilities, ensuring efficient management of critical information and improved coordination with manned aircraft. Additionally, the avionics components supplied by Saab provide the reliability and precision necessary for complex autonomous missions. This partnership positions the MQ-28 as a key component in modern defense forces while expanding Australia’s international defense industry prospects.
