Boeing Validates MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone’s Stealth Performance

Boeing has validated the stealth performance of the MQ-28 ‘Ghost Bat’ collaborative combat aircraft by measuring its radar cross-section.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to complement existing fighter aircraft by performing a variety of roles, including surveillance, electronic warfare, and force multiplication, all while maintaining a low radar profile.

Elevation, or pitch, is one angle engineers analyze to validate MQ-28’s radar detectability inside Boeing’s test chamber. Other positions used in Radar Cross Section testing include azimuth (measure from nose to tail) and roll (rotation around the aircraft).

One way to measure the stealth of an aircraft is Radar Cross Section (RCS) testing. RCS testing was conducted on an MQ-28 to provide customers with objective, repeatable data about detection risks. This information validates designs and models, supports procurement and certification, and guides tactics and countermeasure choices.

The MQ-28’s RCS reduces the range that enemy radars can detect and engage an MQ-28, enhancing the platform’s survivability in contested environments. The success of the RCS testing confirms the effectiveness of the MQ-28’s design, production and material choices in minimising radar detection.

MQ-28 began development in 2017, took its first flight in 2021, and has completed more than 150 flights and several flight demonstrations including:

Teaming with an E-7A and an F/A-18F to autonomously fire, and shoot down, an airborne target.

Logging its first three international operational flight tests in Point Mugu, California to validate autonomous operations, demonstrate rapid deployment and sustained operations from an allied location.