The first combat aircraft manufactured in Australia in over 50 years will be the Boeing MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” in homage to a carnivorous bat species native to Australia known to hunt in packs. It will also be Boeing’s first aircraft made in Australia at its brand new facility in Queensland, the only Boeing manufacturing facility outside of the United States. Originally unveiled as the “Loyal Wingman” in 2019, the 11.7 metres (38 foot)-long uncrewed aircraft will be fully autonomous and capable of flying independently or alongside crewed aircraft for intelligence and surveillance missions. “Selecting the Ghost Bat, an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft’s sensors and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance abilities, and is a fitting name for this pioneering capability,” said project director Glen Ferguson. The aircraft is currently undergoing flight testing and is one of …