BERLIN — Boeing and Rheinmetall are offering the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a mature platform for Germany’s planned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capability, with the companies targeting a 2029 deployment for the German Air Force.
The proposal would use the existing, flight-tested MQ-28 instead of developing a completely new aircraft. German sensors, weapons and mission software would be integrated into the platform, with Rheinmetall serving as the lead system integrator in Germany.
German-Controlled Integration
Rheinmetall plans to establish independent system integration for the MQ-28 in Germany. Under the proposed model, software development, mission integration and intellectual property would remain under German control.
“Germany does not have to choose between speed and independence. We offer a way to achieve both at the same time,” said Mike Schmidt, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Air, Uncrewed and Space business unit.
“The MQ-28 enables us to bypass the lengthy development phase of a new aircraft and go directly to the decisive task: making the capabilities of unmanned combat air systems available to the German Air Force,” Schmidt added.
Boeing and Rheinmetall have also established a German industrial network involving Rohde & Schwarz, Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT to support the development and integration of national technologies.
MQ-28 Flight-Test Experience
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat was originally developed and manufactured in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. The aircraft has completed more than 150 test flights and has participated in multinational military exercises, including the US-led Valiant Shield.
Boeing Defense Australia’s Global Director for the MQ-28 program, Glen Ferguson, said the aircraft has already passed development stages that other CCA programs are still working through.
“While many CCA programs worldwide are still in the concept, definition or early test phase, the MQ-28A Ghost Bat has already gone through these essential development steps,” Ferguson said.
The MQ-28 is being developed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with Boeing continuing development of its air-to-ground capabilities.
Modular Design and Digital Development
Boeing says the MQ-28 has a modular architecture designed to support continued adaptation to changing mission requirements. Ferguson said the aircraft can be adapted for new missions, including air-to-ground operations, without treating each change as a basic retrofit.
The program is also supported by a digital twin of the aircraft, which provides an environment for engineers to simulate and test system changes.
For Germany, the MQ-28 could also serve as a development and test platform for tactics, training and force-structure planning involving crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
“If the goal is to achieve such a capability by 2029, this work must begin today with the development of tactics, training, definition of force structure and the integration of sovereign technologies,” Ferguson said.
The experience gained from integrating German technologies onto the MQ-28 could also support Germany's future participation in European uncrewed combat aircraft programs.
The Boeing-Rheinmetall proposal therefore combines an existing flight-tested platform with German-led technology integration, with the stated objective of helping Germany establish a CCA capability by 2029.
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