The Ghost Bat Drone - Boeing Australia's New Secret Weapon | Talking Tactics with Mel Pikos

[@corvanphoenix]

The MQ-28 is up to its 2nd generation already. So it's a massive achievement. I'm proud af!

[@HenriHattar]

The Ghost Bat will be more than it's publcity says. In the last week a Ghost Shark - 3 of them actually, were put into the water on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy - these are unmanned underwater subs.

[@jeebusk]

more expensive

[@artistjoh]

Ghost Bat is brilliant, for the air force. The Australian army is also introducing its own Australian designed and built drone called the Owl. It is a loitering suicide drone with a 200km range, is electrically powered, very quiet, and carries anti armor and fragmentation munitions. We are entering a new era, and Australia is a leading player in the lethal drone segment.

[@kvltofsobek90]

Watching this I was wondering whether the army would be employing combat drones too, considering they do utilize UAVs for surveillance and intel purposes

[@stevetyrrell1560]

It's impressive to see how Boeing and the Australian Air Force have built a platform that serves as a force multiplier and adapts to changing needs. Great video, Mel Pikos! Can't wait to see what this drone means for the future of air combat.

[@HN-ol7oz]

Imagine... Ghost Bat + AI. in the form of 2x 4x 6x 8x 10x...

[@MS-wz9jm]

Problem is its too expensive which means there wont be enough numbers. They are easy targets for air defence. They need to be built and extremely low cost and in numbers to be effective.

​@MS-wz9jm They are working on getting the cost down. Australian government made this a priority of the program. Strix is another drone in development, but I haven't heard anything about it since mock-up was released.

[@corvanphoenix]

​@@MS-wz9jmThey're very cheap for the cost. They are more than big yet stealthy enough to be extremely useful, even if only used for ISR. More than that, their software & hardware backbone is such that it will continuously improve its performance, the more data we get. So the more & longer the Ghost Bat is flown, the better it gets.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

@@MS-wz9jm someone has no clue on it lol.. are designed to be cheap and even easy to replace saving our more expensive manned platforms. designed to cost 3 to 4 million each once R&D is finished and when other countries buy it this will come down. Easy targets lol.. guy has no clue on this yet again

[@edwardfletcher7790]

A video on the new Aussie Sypaq cardboard drone being sent to Ukraine would be excellent 👍

[@novakillbones2140]

A few points to make. Firstly, one of the big advantages of an aircraft like the MQ-28 is that it's cheap as chips. Unit cost will be around $2million so we should be able to deploy 40 MQ-28s for the cost of one F-35. It's also project with massive export potential, bringing billions of dollars worth of foreign sales to our shores. I'd also point out that we already have a very robust high-tech defense industry that has won more than a $1billion worth of projects to make parts for every F-35 that Lockheed Martin build so the MQ-28 will build off an already strong base.

[@SaintSfefan]

Boeing is behind the Technology of the Ghost Bat and the Wedgetail countries throughout the world are lining up to purchase the Boeing E7 Wedgetail which has been in service with RAAF since 2014

[@timlewis4623]

Brilliant investment. Not only within the context of military conflict, but peace-time border patrol, SAR and other commercial applications are likely to spawn from this 1st generation use case. With Antarctica and the NW Coastline left exposed, these little gems will be in a position to help out when needed.

[@gryphus64]

Build many more Ghost bats and build a twin engine Ghost Bat! These are essential RAAF gear!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Why does it need twin engines. ? It's meant for surveillance & wingman duty, not high speed mach 1+ interceptor missions.

[@gryphus64]

@@edwardfletcher7790 You answered your question.

[@smeary10]

No point. They'll upgrade the single engine that'll give it supersonic capabilities. Need to keep the cost down or you lose one of the major benefits.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@gryphus64 I was answering Gryphus....

[@nedkelly9688]

@@edwardfletcher7790 It's actually meant for combat and why has side air vents, if know anything about aeronautics engineering without side air vents a jet engine starves of oxygen during high g manouvres. why it is not just another reaper style recon drone with missiles. This version is just a test bed for the design to test the airframe and AI capability if can stand up to real world environments. RAAF Commander head of the Ghost Bat programme said this in a interview 2 years ago. he was asked if bigger versions could be built and he smiled cheekily and said yes they could and Boeing Australia designers were already designing new drone designs as he walked down Boeing Australia facility. Pat Conroy Australia Defence industry Minister was in interview few weeks ago saying Australia just spent $400 million to speed up Block ii Ghost Bat production to come in to service with RAAF next year and is a top secret never seen before version bigger that can carry weapons.

[@jackrelaxed4852]

Cicero: "To maintain peace you must prepare for war." Very well done for forging a pathway for defence independence.

[@shar71on]

Brilliant innovation love it, thanks Mel

[@stevew9945]

It sound like a commercial for ghostbat, full of defence TLAs. In your description I heard a lot about its combat capabilities, but i could see nowhere for weapons to be loaded, there are no mounting points on the wings and it appears too small for internal weapons, happy to be corrected.

[@malakaiunseen]

I guess its networking capabilities and performance need more field testing than the armaments which industry is fairly confident in adding in to subsequent prototypes.

[@peterbuckley3877]

You want to have a look at the Poseidon as well, it’s another example of world beating technology developed right here in Australia.

[@matn7743]

P-8 Poseidon is a US developed and built aircraft.

[@stupidburp]

Sounds like you just read out marketing materials. A script that deviates from press releases enhances credibility.

[@nevermind594]

Information security is normally a good thing.

[@timlewis4623]

We all want more, but the information provided should only ever come from publicly available sources. Even then, we shouldn't inspire curiosity among potential adversaries. We don't have the D budget to realise that, if only we didn't broadcast our arsenal we may have had an element of surprise to use, if required.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

lol is top secret still unlike USA ,China and Russia who brag like crazy. even Turkey Khizelman gets more info out about it. Block ii of Ghost bat just anounced is a bigger version to carry more weapons and top secret never seen before Makes sense as a RAAF commander who is head of the programme said 2 years ago that the version we see was just a test bed to test the AI and airframe if could withstand real world conditions..

[@billtudman7867]

Will you be covering the Australian designed Ghost Shark autonomous submarine?

[@coreycooper4597]

Its great to see the RAAF and now the Australian Army are now going full speed into Autonomous Warfare the Army successfully tested autonomous M113 prototype not long ago don't know how successful but we reckon it was somewhat successful.

[@thomasb5600]

RAN just completed trials on the Sentinel and Ghost Shark too

[@nedkelly9688]

Sentinel is a EX Armidale patrol ship turned in to a AI ship to be tested for the unmanned surface fleet, Ghost Shark AI submarine drone uses the same AI as Ghost Bat and why named it as a tribute. Stryx is a VTOL AI helicopter or Quad copter uses same AI as Ghost Bat because BAE Australia are the one's who made the AI. Stryx is a loyal wingman for Australian helicopters. Then we have small AI drones like one's Ukraine use and is actually a few Australian one's used by Ukraine. Defendtex D40 has AI and AI swarm capabilities. Defendtex even have mother ship carrier drones that carry smaller ones and also have one with a 80 missile rocket launcher. Australia just testing AI trucks to be used as resupply, they use one manned lead truck and then had 4 AI trucks following them. Australia is ahead of the world in AI drones as realised we have a small population and can not fill our ADF roles now and AI unmanned platforms are the way to go to solve it. Australia recently bough a big offshore vessel that will support in ocean and undersea AI vessels manned and unmanned.

[@richardmaxwell3472]

All out going armoured vehicles should be put into warstocks so if needed they are there to use in conjunction with AI Configurations. Stop " donating" our stores...we may need them.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@richardmaxwell3472 W e don't donate and if need help other's will say.. why Australia did not help anyone else.. But if war breaks here same time as Europe it might turn out same as WW2 with even Britain not helping us much.

[@richardmaxwell3472]

@nedkelly9688 I think you may require a look into our Donations to Ukraine. 40 AS4( M113 apc's) 90 donated bushmasters( paid by taxpayer) 830 million AUD dollars. 60 Tonnes of Medical Aid . Drones ( 87 ) And there is more that hasn't been divulged such as intelligence gathered from 5 eyes.. rotation 5 of 100 Australian Military instructors,so I'd say Yes we have donated...

[@russwilson8457]

Would be very interested in the new Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) MC-55A Peregrine airborne ISR and EW aircraft. This acquisition seems to slip through most discussions when defence procurements come up.

[@nedkelly9688]

Why it is just proof the ADF procurement is awful, why spend billions on this platform when Ghost Bat can do it and do it without human pilots and less ground crew etc.

[@russwilson8457]

@@nedkelly9688 True, ADF procurement has been a basket case for quite a few decades for a number of reasons, the not least being politicians serving self interest. But I would like to hear how ghostbats can do the job of manned SIGINT aircraft, to avoid confusion please be specific.

[@robman2095]

@@nedkelly9688stick to robbing banks ned

[@thomasb5600]

I think because it does not fight(so not sexy) and many don't understand what it is used for. Look at the AI truck program or Ghost(robotic dog) 2 of many that often get overlooked too.

[@smeary10]

Peregrine is key to the networked battle space. It connects F-35, Growler, Navy vessels, etc...together to share information in real time as well as share and deploy each other's missiles and other capabilities. It's an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

[@MichelleScott-r3c]

Mel I like your style - is there any chance you can do something for the reorganisation of the ARES in WA?

[@sunshineforlunch]

Hi Mel thanks for this. Can you please make a video on the Ghost Shark counterpart to the Ghost Bat which is a naval drone.

[@philiplewis8213]

Start with "safe" deploying them alongside each regional surveillance aircraft and tanker aloft to give them added defensive capabilities in case some adversary decided to target them. NZ could use a dozen as well to greatly enhance their airforce.

[@aggressivecalm]

It's impressive and compelling seeing how Boeing and the Australian Air Force have built a platform that serves as a force multiplier and alters, modifies, and adjusts to changing needs. The MQ-28 is up to its 2nd generation already. So it's a immense achievement. Australia needs to shift gears this decade. The stronger we become (the stronger the ADF become), the less likely we'll have to use it.

[@outlawdingo3020]

This is like 5 years old while still in development and having done test flights while going really well there's only gonna be more improvement

[@nedkelly9688]

How about do some videos on Australian hypersonics and how Australia helped USA in theirs during HIFIRE tests. Some info on Australian Ray Stalker first to get essence of flight from scramjets and how Austrlian company has world fastest scramjet at mach 12 and test fly a scramjet hypersonic drone next year and just won a USA HYCAT DUI contract to build USA hypersonic vehicles. Americas scramjet hypersonic missiles were developed under AUKUS and SCIFIRE joint USA Australia hypersonics. No American journalist saids this but is all in the records. Chinese even stole Ray Stalker Australian free piston shock tunnels that test hypersonic vehicle and engines.

[@corvanphoenix]

Totally mate! Yet even most Aussies have NFI about the advanced sciences we are hard core into. This project, LRASM & CBASS Mk.48 come to mind.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

@@corvanphoenix Yea Nulka a good one too used on USA navy ships and has saved them in Red Sea since 2016 was first battle action was used in..

[@anyguy6475]

@nedkelly9688 Some secrecy from the public re our top-shelf products is no doubt in order here....

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

@anyguy6475 lol all I know is public knowledge found on internet that anyone can find

[@corvanphoenix]

@@micksmith-vt5yi Yeah, I find the "if we dont talk about it, the enemy won't know about it" argument very weak.

[@davidgalea430]

We need more of this tech in Australia

[@d1ng046]

something I didn't see him say but find it is good is that we could keep about the number of fighter polits we have now but have more planes in the air than that because of the ghost bat

[@Kneedragon1962]

I applaud Boeing and the RAAF. I would suggest a next program. The Americans have the X-47B. They're using it and gaining experience, as a refuelling drone. That's not what it is, that's something else it can do. What I want to see, is a version of the X-47B that's engineered to be cheap and easy to mass produce, at a cost of maybe 6 ~ 10 mil US$ each. They should be borderline attributable, you could very much use them as a one-way missile for a high value targets. The Ghost Bat has the look of some degree of stealth, low observable. Much lower radar cross section than an F/A 18 let's say, but still two orders of magnitude higher than a B-2 or a B-21. The X-47B though, that's in exactly that maximum stealth class. Now make me one of those, where everything which can be made of composites, is. And we can produce 50 of them a week, at a cost roughly the same as a light jet, like a Citation Mustang. Like a high performance turboprop, like a TBM 960. If we also got the kit here in Australia to manufacture jet engines, that'd be bloody wonderful! If I were the Australian defence minister, I'd be prepared to pay quite a bit of money for that. A century of experience says you can't depend on aircraft engine manufacture in Europe or America once the shit hits the fan. You have to have your own completely domestc industrial program. All the contracts and promises in the world, go out the window the moment the bombs start falling. You better be in a position to make your own replacements and ammunition and development models, because everybody else is going to have his hands full.

[@nedkelly9688]

Stealth of Ghost Bat is smaller or similar to a F35. also X47B can not perform combat high g manouvres and all they are really good at is bombing and surveilence. Australia can build different designs if required, Ghodt Bat is cheap and attributable and is designed to be sent on very risky missions that they might not want to lose a manned more expensive platform for. RAAF Commander saids this in a interview and even said Kratos drones are built more expensive and not used as attributable where as Ghost bat was designed by RAAF to be cheap and quick to replace. At the moment we can build 1 a month and only get cheaper and faster once get export sales.

[@Kneedragon1962]

@@nedkelly9688 ~ I always wanted to talk to Ned Kelly ~ G'day mate. Agree with you on most points. The X-47B is not agile or manoeuvrable in the way an F/A 18 is, but then nor is a B-2 or a B-21. That isn't what they're made for. I don't think I'd like to try competition aerobatics in a ghost-bat either. But yes, it's obviously way better than a pure delta wing with split ailerons. I keep asking myself why they can't have vertical stabilisers that are made of completely radio-transparent materials. I'd like to have a set of folding wingtips, a bit like the winglets on modern aircraft, that could fold down to help radar stealth and fold back up to offer something like conventional yaw stability. Look at the wings of the long-dead Valkerie. For the record, I am quite enthusiastic about the Ghost Bat, I think that's a great idea. I would like to be able to make engines here, if not computer chips ~ Turkie are making drones and high tech weapons, and exporting them. If Turkie and North Korea can sell tech to Putin, then I don't see why we can't make our own.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@Kneedragon1962 Haha yes a drunk name i made as could not think of one and like Ned Kelly history. Yea Turkey drone the Khizelman is similar to Ghost Bat, bigger but we have not seen Block ii yet. and it is less advanced as AI has no drone swarm and Ghost Bat does and Turkey still use joysticks with theirs and show it's AI is nowhere near as advanced.

[@arthurbutler2736]

hey new to the channel. love your work. have you done anything on the over the horizen radar base on harts range and jindalee in the NT??

[@abmbarry]

Yes, ... Yes and Yes! "Ghost Bat" in my opinion is a perfect fit. Well named lads.

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

Can you please 🙏 do a video on fire arms we use? Personal, snipers, rockets etc?? 🚀

[@hammer8809]

Yes, the Ghost Bat 🦇 is a good investment. Not only boosting our military but creates jobs and maybe even sales to overseas nations. 👍🏼

[@peterwikaire5015]

in a big country like Australia, its a necessity and the more the better!multi roles and always evolving, it's a no brainer.

[@ctsenvironmental]

Absolutely, Australia requires a force magnifier!!

[@TrumpAndKamila]

What modules/ weapons etc can is carry?

[@nedkelly9688]

Top secret still but only little bit smaller then a F35. Block ii is said to be a bit bigger and carry more weapons.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

It's mainly radar, visual & electronic surveillance. But we can assume it could be equipped with similar missiles the MQ9 Reaper uses

[@smeary10]

A2A, A2G, SAR, EW, RECON, targeting, maritime amongst others. The nose is modular and it will have an internal bomb bay. It can also spoof itself to appear as a much more valuable asset on to the enemy's radar.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@edwardfletcher7790 More like similar to a F35 mate as it's underbelly is not much smaller and can fit bomb bay doors. but Block ii is a bigger version top secret never seen before will be in service with RAAF next year as said by Pat Conroy to media a few weeks ago. RAAF Commander head of the programme hints with a huge smile that in future they can build bigger versions of it and said Boeing Australia designers and engineers were already designing new drones as he walked down the facility RAAF Commander also said what we see now was just a test bed for the AI and if the frame would withstand real life conditions. It is called a combat jet fighter and not a recon platform.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@nedkelly9688 A "jet fighter" than can't exceed mach 1 ? Riiight It's only 2/3 the size of an F35 so no, it's not carrying the same payload. That said, the evolution of this drone system will have an incredible future!!!

[@davidbryant5934]

Cold u do an episode about the nh70 .....a gr eat platform till it came here and then it wasn't...other countries don't appear to have probably like we do .......and the way they disappeared just a little bit tooo quick ....just a thought ,keep doing what yr doing g ...great content and looking forward to more

[@jamesgowing3856]

These are high cost but useful systems. The aim should be to produce their numbers higher than current manned aircraft in the Australian Air Force and navy. Please discuss what potential low cost air vehicles could the Australian combined defence force employ and also what laser systems could be used in those systems and in a defence network to support Australian population and defence assets.

[@johngodden4363]

Since we don’t appear to be acquiring a Naval Carrier capability any time soon, and consequent governments have not shown any interest in modifying the two LHDs as Japan has done for its ship variants, I propose that we further develop the Ghostbat to operate as a LHD/Carrier based aircraft that can support troops. By enabling the remotely controlled Ghostbat to land with arrestor wires and with interchangeable reconnaissance and ground attack modules, the Ghostbat can be uniquely useful - giving Australian troops genuine support ( as well as embarked attack helicopters). The USA appears to have dropped the Ghostbat as a candidate for its Wingman programme. It doesn’t necessarily mean we should do the same.

[@shanenichols1052]

What weapons might it carry? Is there an internal weapons bay? How would a weapons payload affect range and speed?

[@markwatters6875]

Royal Australian Air Force, mate 👍🇦🇺

[@thefallenrift1705]

I want one of those southern cross Boeing shirts that’s awesome

[@johngrayland4558]

There is talk of manufacturing missiles in Australia. Can you have a look at what type of missiles and in what numbers we will be producing.

[@nedkelly9688]

Still top secret just long range ballistic and especially hypersonics. if research hypersonics Australia helped USA during HIFIRE as Australian Ray Stalker was first to get essence of flight from scramjets and Australian company has world fastest scramjet at mach 12 and test fly a scramjet drone this or next year. SCIFIRE joint USA Australia hypersonics developed USA HACAM scramjet missile and is said HAWC scramjet missile was follow on from it. Australia and USA scramjets look similar and prove they worked together, experts say Australia scramjet is more simpler in design compared to USA one's and maybe what lead to Australia one better. China even stole Australian Ray Stalker free piston test tunnel design and now claim they improved it and why theirs can test hypersonics faster. Chinese journos admit this in reports. Robotics company in Australia just set up special robotic pain facilities to pain hypersonic missiles, A special furnace was bought so can produce materials needed for hypersonic to stand the heat. sensors and cameras for tracking them etc.

[@petersinclair3997]

Interesting. I have worked on a major non defence AI project with IBM. Key information went both ways. Americans and Australians work well together.

[@AdamSpyker]

How fast is it?

[@SaintSfefan]

Together with Boeing we have already developed one of the most sophisticated Aircraft in the World the Wedge tail it is simple if a company as big as Boeing wants to invest in Australia especially if it involves a benefit as far as far as production it is a no brainer

[@erichahn5665]

no one ever talks about what weapons with which it is compatible? Is the weapons bay big enough for a sidewinder or amraam? or is it limited to things like the small diameter bombs? Do tell!

[@jeebusk]

it's armed with a special weapon called ghost poop 💩

[@LJMpictures]

What's the future of the bushmaster IFV / transport?

[@stevejones6257]

Can the Ghost Bat receive AAR?

[@kensommers5096]

Great video Mel. You also should remember that it is still a test bed and i don't mean to down talk it. Quite the opposite it is in my opinion only the start of what we will see from this platform, because if we choose we could use its tech in whatever configuration we choose. This initial design centres around the autonomy of the vehicle, once this is proven we can use the tech in whatever we may decide we need or want. Think of enlarging the platform as an autonomous in air refueling or dare i say a long range autonomous bomber. Just a thought.🤠❤️🇭🇲

[@nedkelly9688]

You need to research more and follow Australian defence, few weeks ago Defence minister said block ii of Ghost Bat is being accelerated and comes in to service with RAAF next year. is a top secret version never seen before and is bigger to carry weapons. The AI is so good it is not made by Boeing and is in several other drones. Ghost Shark and Stryx a VTOL AI helicopter drone.

[@greglee1587]

I would like to know why the Australian government has chosen the AS21 Redback over the Lynx. Not saying that the Redback is a bad IFV but to have the lynx with the Lance 2.0 turret which I believe can be dropped onto the Boxer CRV and vice versa makes more sense especially in the field. Also would like to know if the programable ammo is interchangeable between the Lynx and the Redback. Cheers

[@kcharles8857]

Off topic, but I would love to hear your impressions on the New Zealand Defense Forces, and how they might be affordably improved.

[@ÁilleÉan]

I would say Australia should be more like NZ and improve by not even needing them because we told US to back off a bit too, they are what makes us a risk

[@brianwebb5516]

Can you review Holsworthy base

[@martineley1]

Great news, high value manufacturing and we can sell them to our allies.

[@adamandresen9911]

Outstanding for Australian collaboration and innovation. Makes me proud to be Ex-RAAF

[@secretsauce811]

Hi I know this is random but would love to know what's happening with Sunshine Coast Public Transport. 😊

[@billygibson2613]

Very smart and strong defence against terrisom 100 drones for protecting all the country 😊😊😊😊😊

[@kenreckless2757]

Why would this be a defence against terrorism? This is a system designed for warfighting against a nation-state.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

lol you have no clue on Australian technology, people think Ukraine came up with all those small drones used in that war. Australia has many and gave many to Ukraine some are full AI with drone swarm AI. not easy attacking Australia lol..

[@normmcrae1140]

Hmmmm - Something the RCAF should DEFINITELY look into!

[@MissionKriticalCreator]

Australia’s acquisition of the m1a2 sep v3 would be interesting.

[@kxllz8945]

already have 75 on order

[@rmar127]

So I may be reading between the lines a bit here. However if Boeing is prepared to build an assembly facility here in Australia, then A: The US Defence ministry has signed off on it and B: By sighting a base here that is capable of producing these units, creates a massive boost to forward readiness, should there be any conflict in the Indian-pacific region. Having Boeing involved from the get go, means that there will almost certainly be a high amount of interoperability between these drones and any Us made equipment. That means that we should be able to sell a number of these units to friendly neighbours that fly some of the same aircraft that we do. Thereby, seeing a financial ROI on the development costs

[@nedkelly9688]

Boeing Australia owned by Boeing USA is a Australian defence company established to serve and fullfill the Australian government and Australian defence force in building and supplying Australia with products, it also has to adhere to Australian secrecy laws and even Boeing Australia sometimes can not share secret technology with USA government or USA defense unless Australian government approves it. Same with Boeing USA giving Australia tech.. The detachable nose design in Ghost Bat is Australian technology developed back in Mirage iii jet times and can not be sold even to USA. Australian RAAF commander states this in a interview 2 years ago. Saying any foreign country who buys Ghost Bat has to get Australia to fit sensors packages in the nose even if it is their own technology, keeping the technology sovereign only to Australia. Some of Ghost Bat technology is other Australian companies, even the AI that makes this the most advanced AI drone in the world belongs to another Australian company.

[@kazdean]

@@nedkelly9688 The US is already looking closely at using the MQ28. Given the other secrets we share such as five eyes and the AUKUS agreement the Australian government no doubt will green light the US building the aircraft under license.

[@hdmccart6735]

I think you're correct on all points.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@kazdean Hope not and doubt they will let USA build it just like Australia can't build USA planes. As i said the detachable nose design is Australian tech not to be shared to anyone.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@hdmccart6735 Read my post as he is not right on many points.

[@040498wb]

How bout an update on this awesome but of kit 😊

[@paulsandford3345]

Why isn't Australia doing trials on using the Ghost bat, on HMAS Canberra and Adelaide, just like the Turkish navy is doing?

[@seanfrazer4589]

new subscriber here - infantry 343 section commander and mortarman for 31 years

[@jeebusk]

You're probably more useful than invisible bat shit

[@joshuabrook-harding978]

100% australia needs this, just look at the current recruiting and retention issues let alone the cost of manned fighters. Once the US gets on board with the MQ-28 and production numbers are being seen the cost will dramatically decrease. In a fight against an adversary like China with numerically superior aircraft and missiles these will fill that gap as their strike or sacrificial assets to protect the manned fighters

[@falafelscobes6122]

We should build a Bat Cave on Cocos Keeling Island hehe

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

LOVE THIS, COMON AUSSIE. LETS KICK ASS!!!😊😊

[@craigmorris7186]

Can you do a video on Australia 🇦🇺 new triton surveillance aircraft.

[@alfredneuman6488]

I love the bit about 'artificial intelligence, has Albo been helping them out?

[@charliepyle1626]

That would be zero intelligence.

[@alfredneuman6488]

@@charliepyle1626 So he has been helping them out!

[@PaulieLDP]

Thanks for the video. I'm also interested to hear what weapons it will be capable of using. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Boeing Australia is a direct descendant of CAC and GAF.

I read a long time ago that the weopons bay will be large enough to hold a tomahawk cruise missile.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

Block ii Ghost bat was anounced by Pat Conroy in a media press release fe weeks ago. it is a top secret never seen before version that is bigger and carry weapons. Is a video on youtube from 3 years ago with RAAF commander who is head of Ghost Bat. he said with cheeky grins when asked if we could build bigger versions that Australian designers were doing that as he walked down BAA facility and this version we see was just a test bed to test the AI and airframe in real life conditions.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

The interview with RAAF commander has the most info on Ghost Bat i have ever seen. talks a bit about the AI and how it works. was a lot he never said as so top secret still. If want it can be found if type in ... Air Combat Capability - F35 and the Ghost Bat Program..skip 25mins in and is on Ghost bat first part is on F35 and what can be said on it's capabilities..

[@PaulieLDP]

@@micksmith-vt5yi I starter watching that but didn't get through it all yet. It was indeed interesting.

[@micksmith-vt5yi]

@@PaulieLDP Yea he has the most info about it then any journalist i have seen..

[@CasuallyPlayinGames]

Are you goning to do a video on ghost shark?

[@peterryan4851]

Being lost out on the contract with the US airforce with the ghost bat platform. So doesn’t this permanently limit its scope as it will only have RAAF resources behind it

[@paulwatson6013]

Aircraft aint ever a cheap exercise. Surveillance, for sure. Aust is a big joint, with a heap of coastline. Getting the pilot out of the equation to fly them has to be a bonus.

[@ÁilleÉan]

Maybe but one of the companies I saw promoting was using the fact you couldnt save anyone if you dont get there fast enough if there’s an issue it’s only a drone that’s seen it, this point is openly made and that repugnant

[@peterjohn5834]

Lots of words Mel.

[@garrygraham]

They are disguised as wheels and doors falling off the commercial jets...😎

[@everypitchcounts4875]

Has it even been tested flying alongside an F-35 yet? USAF & USMC has already tested XQ-58 Valkyrie flying alongside F-35 & F-22.

[@theFordy97]

good on ya man cheers

[@petersinclair3997]

For the Ghost Bat, the goal is AUD two million per unit in mass production. Don’t how that works with six different mission cones. The X-47B probably is looking at economies of scale in mass production too. With drone swarm attacks the AI needs to be able to change the mission of each unit in flight, should some swarm members be lost. For air to air, I wonder if a ground supercomputer would out perform a human pilot?

[@everypitchcounts4875]

Look into X-62 Vista AI piloted F-16 that can dogfight.

[@Steven-p4j]

This is great, I would like to hear more about this, from a technical viewpoint. BOEING can eff off with sustainability, too. These things are military killers ultimately, and the touchy-feely aspect of war is absurdist in its very nature. Life is hard.

[@desertferal]

Sustainability has nothing to do with “touchy feely” it is literally about being able to sustain your defence when resources are hard to get. No good having resource greedy equipment if the first thing the enemy does is stop the supply. That goes for fuel, parts, ammunition. The less you need from any source, but especially overseas the better.

[@Steven-p4j]

@@desertferal Okay, my mistake. I am perhaps the one too touchy here?

[@desertferal]

Haha@@Steven-p4j no, but logistics are not always considered...and they can win wars.

[@jeebusk]

who's three touchy? ​@@Steven-p4j

[@davidmcclelland9263]

Ghost bat awesome but I would like to see Aus build our own fighters as in manned fighters, and concerned about missile that avoid detection someone's firing deadly missile at as in time of war difficult in shooting them down, is it possible to catch them in NET. ON THE FRONT OF INTERCEPTING MISSILE A NET CATCH ONCOMING DEADLY MISSILES .

[@38flatBauble]

Wasn't there an Australian water police show by that name?

[@3drocket]

The thumbnail says Ghost Rat... I think that's a better name than Ghost Bat

[@davidbray2500]

A ghost bat in slang is having one pleasure themselves at work. Well done on naming a killer drone after having a tug at work.

[@smeary10]

Well done to the flog who named a tug at work after a native bat.

[@nedkelly9688]

Ghost Bat is a Australian animal and what it is named after.. you can stick to your kind of animal acts on own.

[@damianlynch5977]

Every comment made about the ghost bat sounds like a line from Utopia!!! In the end, what weapons will it deploy & how does it kill an enemy!!!

[@nedkelly9688]

Lol i have gotten my answers from the RAAF Commander that is head of the Ghost Bat programme. weapoms are still top secret but is almost same size as a F35 and has space in the underbelly for same sorts of weapons a F35 can carry. the nose has 9sq feet of room for weapons and sensor systems. Block ii variant that is top secret never seen before is said to be a bigger version to carry more weapons. How does it kill enemies, by a programme probably inputs all enemy vehicles and the AI and sensors can identify and track and destroy if is put in to the programme to do so. Is a Australian drone in Ukraine war with AI and AI swarm capability and can track and lock on to targets and is seen in video flying in to a Russian tank hatch and blowing it up

[@petersinclair3997]

The capabilities would depend on which of the six command domes used. From none for surveillance to those of a fighter, I guess. What might prove just as important is how AI members of swarm communicate with each other. The drones might need to change roles. Maybe, even a surveillance drone needs to carry weapons, just in case?

[@jeebusk]

ghost poop 💩

[@geekyarn]

How did they not name this the G-force phoenix???

[@Blueybob]

Give us a description of intended usefulness, not just the developers and/or manufacturers promo blurb.

[@BenDaviesHe3]

There is significantly more to say RE Ghostbat. I agree with others this sounded like brochureware and made the Ghostbat seem like both more and less than it actually is. 😊 Hypohysterical History has a much longer and more in depth look at this development platform and its potentialities.

[@regcooper1146]

Who has the patent rights to the MQ 28 ? Boeing, the Australian Govt or is it shared ??

[@paradigmystic3123]

Ghost Bat is like Thunderbird 2, looks like it, has pods & run by puppet strings. So I suppose our ICBM will look like Thunderbird 3, and our Troup Carriers will be pink & driven by Parker!

[@jeebusk]

i like how he reads the lies along with any other info.

[@douglachman7330]

Does Australia get benefits when America operates its own fleet of loyal wingman flight assetts? We purchase American manufactured defense capabilities will the reverse apply?

[@Dragonsbane1972]

yes they need to invested 10 billion in the project

[@tinto278]

When you read from a sheet of paper with out explaining what it all means. 6,959 views🤣🤣

[@djoswald9128]

The Ghost Bat would team most excellent with the new upcoming USA {F15EX (“‘K’nightMares”:😉)}. Although the ‘K’nightMares are by no means Rudimentary. They have the most powerful flight computers in the world. Will be easy to integrate systems. Ghost Bat locks the target 🎯. KnightMares fire 🔥 and forget.🤘💥. Just an idea 💡 AHUM’M’@

[@johnhook1467]

You never mentioned if’s stealthy.??

[@nedkelly9688]

Just look at it, yes it is even more then a F35 etc as has no cockpit for a human meaning has even less lines for radar to bounce off of. Stealth is smooth lines and the less lines and smoother they are the more stealth something is.

[@hdmccart6735]

@@nedkelly9688 You've never studied physics have you. Give me RCS figures for the F-35 and for the Ghost Bat.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@hdmccart6735 Ghost Bat top secret lil man.. you trying to say it is not stealth.. haha you are a joke..

[@nedkelly9688]

@@hdmccart6735 Maybe it is not more, but the lines are way cleaner and have less then a F35 and it is smaller in size and yes it is stealth.. Do you know what stealth is lil man and how it is accomplished.. clean lines not sharp lines. compare a f16 to a f35 or F22. has sharp lines and why is not stealth.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@hdmccart6735 Look at the Turkey Khizelman with it's rivets hanging out and sharper lines, it is not as stealth as Ghost Bat.... i know what stealth is.

[@garry19681]

Do a video on nasams.

[@highace10]

Just reading off websites. Nothing new said here.

[@nevermind594]

Information security is normally a good thing.

[@adriang6259]

Looks great if it can’t be hacked at the moment of contact.

[@TerryGaskett]

Get them out there with the F35's to sort out effectiveness, problems & improvements.😮🇦🇺👍

[@jasonmessenger4566]

Put tubofan in there wings, then they can work off Lhd

[@Frazzer808]

buzz work buzz work buzz work

[@GM-fh5jp]

Having Loyal Wingmen that can "take one for the team" is a luxury few countries can afford but, more importantly, they have to produce a tanker drone. Our fighter aircraft don't have the range and endurance to engage enemies well before they reach Australian home waters. Our long range strike-bomber F-111s are all retired and F/A 18 SuperHornets and F-35 JSF are all short range jets. We can of course send tanker aircraft already in service and maybe team them with some AI wingmen to protect the tanker though clearly, it would be better all round if it was unmanned and stealthy as well. Also escort AI fighters are required to cover our Wedgetail AWAACs against long range air launched missiles (PL15++)? Well done to the boys and girls at Boeing AUS and the supplier community here in AUS. Can you imagine what it will look like to see 2 F35s flying as a pair with a diamond of 4 Loyal Wingman surrounding and protecting them? Hope we get to see the vid ;)

[@jeebusk]

should've kept the aardvarks

[@GM-fh5jp]

@@jeebusk I agree, the F-111s had the range and the laser bomb targeting systems to put one through the front door of an enemy's house anywhere in Asia.

[@everypitchcounts4875]

MQ-25 Stingray autonomous air refueling tanker capable of taking off & landing from US aircraft carriers. XQ-58 Valkyrie has been tested flying alongside F-18, F-35 & F-22. Its also been tested with launching missiles and Altius-600. There's also X-62 Vista AI piloted F-16 that can dogfight.

[@SONMINHTRAN1]

Great products

[@grecoconduris6716]

Project K!

[@rheonepomuceno5572]

..you're revealing Australia's secret..

[@nathanabsolom2199]

11 of them is bugger all

[@jeebusk]

mostly bugging your budget