Overview
- Boeing announced the additions of Leonardo, Eton and Hensoldt to the MQ-28 program on Tuesday at the Farnborough Airshow as it seeks more European customers.
- The company displayed design changes that include a 3.3 meter wing extension, a modular nose that can swap sensor packages, and internal weapon bays for missiles or small stores.
- Boeing said it is working with MBDA to expand weapon fits but has not set a date for a live firing and is relying heavily on advanced simulations to validate weapon and mission systems.
- The Ghost Bat has passed about 200 physical flight hours while logging far more hours in virtual test environments, and Boeing argues this simulation work reduces the need for repeated live flights.
- Boeing is offering local teaming and sovereign manufacture options, including a German-configured variant with Rheinmetall and Hensoldt, to deliver jobs and give customers control over sensors and weapons which could shape European buy decisions.