Boeing demonstrates Ghost Bat aircraft control from E-7A Wedgetail

WOOMERA, South Australia - Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) successfully conducted a mission where a single operator aboard an E-7A Wedgetail controlled two uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft against an airborne target, the company announced Monday. The achievement comes from Boeing, a prominent player in the Aerospace & Defense industry with a market capitalization of $151 billion.

The demonstration, part of the Capability Demonstration 2025 (CD25) series, validated a key element of the MQ-28’s concept of operations, showing how collaborative combat aircraft can extend the E-7A’s capabilities.

"This trial demonstrates family-of-systems integration, the strength of our open systems architecture, and is a critical first step towards integrating mission partners’ software and communications systems natively into the E-7A Wedgetail," said Glen Ferguson, director of MQ-28 Global Programs at Boeing.

Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described the Ghost Bat’s potential to "turn a single fighter jet into a fighting team, with advanced sensors that are like hundreds of eyes in the sky."

The software enabling this capability was jointly developed by Boeing Defence Australia, Defence Science and Technology Group, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories.

Future CD25 events will demonstrate the MQ-28’s ability to team with other RAAF assets, including F/A-18F and F-35 aircraft.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] stated in its press release that the demonstration represents a significant advancement in integrating uncrewed systems with existing military platforms. While the company’s stock has shown strong momentum with a 15.68% return over the past six months, InvestingPro analysis reveals more insights about Boeing’s financial health and future prospects in its comprehensive Pro Research Report, available among 1,400+ top stocks covered.

In other recent news, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has been at the center of a tragic event involving an Air India crash. The incident resulted in the loss of all 242 passengers and crew on board, marking a significant aviation disaster. Following the crash, India’s aviation regulator has mandated comprehensive safety checks for Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, including fuel parameter monitoring and flight control inspections. In light of these events, Morgan Stanley has maintained its Equalweight rating on Boeing, noting potential implications for the aircraft’s fleet if systemic issues are identified. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with authorities urging caution against early speculation. Meanwhile, Air France-KLM’s CEO expressed continued confidence in the Boeing 787, highlighting the aircraft’s presence in their fleet. The aviation community, including Airbus’s CEO, has extended condolences to the victims’ families. These developments underscore heightened scrutiny and regulatory actions surrounding Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

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