Boeing enhances the Ghost Bat to compete with Helsing in Germany.

      Boeing has presented an enhanced version of its MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft at the ILA Berlin air show, featuring an internal weapons bay, a 25% larger wing, and an increased payload capacity of 2,000 pounds. These improvements aim to provide Boeing with a competitive advantage over Helsing, the German AI defense startup, whose CA-1 Europa drone is also vying for the same German military order. According to Glen Ferguson, director of the Ghost Bat’s global program at Boeing, the internal weapons bay can accommodate four Small Diameter Bombs or two Raytheon AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. The enlarged wing area significantly enhances the aircraft's range and fuel capacity compared to its initial design.

      Boeing is collaborating with Rheinmetall, which will act as the lead systems integration partner for the German variant of the MQ-28. On Wednesday, two additional German partners were announced: Diehl Defence, tasked with integrating German air-to-ground munitions and guided missiles into the platform, and Rohde & Schwarz, which will provide its NEMACS broadband communications system for connectivity in combat scenarios. “We’re merging the finest innovations from Australia and Germany to deliver the MQ-28 to the Luftwaffe by 2029,” stated Amy List, vice president of Boeing Defence Australia. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger noted that final contract discussions with Berlin need to commence next year to meet this timeline.

      Germany might also consider awarding Helsing a contract for its CA-1 Europa, an autonomous combat drone in the three-to-five-tonne category, to maintain multiple options. After a recent $1.2 billion investment led by Dragoneer, Helsing's valuation sits at about €18 billion, making it one of Europe’s most valuable tech companies. The Bundestag budget committee has approved an initial €269 million contract with Helsing for HX-2 loitering munitions, with potential framework options totaling €1.46 billion over seven years. This year, Germany has awarded contracts for strike drones to three competing systems, indicating a possible multi-vendor strategy for collaborative combat aircraft.

      Initial production of the Ghost Bat will occur in Australia, its place of development, before eventually transitioning to Germany to ensure sovereign capabilities. Rheinmetall and other German partners will begin supplying and integrating components from the outset, while Rohde & Schwarz will offer operational, maintenance, and logistical support for its communications systems. The MQ-28 is anticipated to be operational for the Royal Australian Air Force by 2028. Recently, German lawmakers and defense ministry officials visited the production facilities in Australia, with parliamentary procurement approval expected by next year at the latest.

      The Ghost Bat and similar collaborative combat aircraft aim to enhance the capabilities of crewed fighter jets without risking additional pilots. These aircraft can carry extra munitions, expand sensor ranges, and undertake more hazardous missions than crewed jets. Ferguson countered the characterization of the Ghost Bat as “attritable” or disposable, asserting that losing one wouldn’t alter operational plans, unlike the potential repercussions of losing an F-35.

      The price of each Ghost Bat has yet to be revealed. In comparison, the simpler, propeller-driven MQ-9 Reaper costs around $30 million each, so it is anticipated that a jet-powered stealth combat drone with internal weapons will be valued in the tens of millions of dollars. Boeing is pursuing a contract that Germany has not yet confirmed will be awarded, and the timeline is contingent on parliamentary approval next year. It remains uncertain whether Germany will opt for Boeing's MQ-28, Helsing's CA-1 Europa, or both, as awarding both would allocate procurement funds across two platforms.