Exercise Carlsbad has wrapped up at RAAF Base Tindal after the successful deployment and operation of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat in regional Northern Territory.
Exercise Carlsbad is part of a series of test events throughout 2025 that will mature and exhibit the capabilities of the MQ-28A.
Successful completion of this exercise has demonstrated that the MQ-28A can conduct operations from a location outside of the Woomera Training Area, South Australia, which to date has been the exclusive operating location for the MQ-28A.
Exercise Carlsbad Commander Wing Commander Phillip Parsons said the success of Exercise Carlsbad had been a whole of team effort.
"This is a huge achievement of the collaborative work between the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defence Australia," Wing Commander Parsons said.
"Our success has also been due to ongoing work with the Collaborative Autonomous Systems Project Office, Air Force Headquarters, Air Warfare Centre, and the local base squadrons at RAAF Base Tindal - 75 Squadron, 17 Squadron and 9 Squadron."
Exercise Carlsbad tested how to deploy and redeploy the MQ-28A and successfully operate in an unfamiliar environment.
"The main intent of Exercise Carlsbad was to understand all the fundamental inputs to capability in relation to the MQ-28A," Wing Commander Parsons said.
"We used a C-17 Globemaster to transport the capability direct from the Australian International Air Show.
"Within seven days of arriving at RAAF Base Tindal we completed a series of ground events to confirm our systems were in good working order before successfully achieving the MQ-28A's first flight outside of the Woomera training area."
'Capabilities such as the MQ-28A are important as they will save Australian lives and provide us with the combat mass to defend Australia and its national interests.'
MQ-28A is an uncrewed aircraft that has the ability to team with crewed platforms performing mission roles and responsibilities typical of fighter aircraft, complementing and extending airborne missions while increasing situational awareness and survivability.
Wing Commander Parsons said the MQ-28A project was a significant undertaking for the ADF, working to deliver the National Defence Strategy priority of an integrated, focused force.
"Capabilities such as the MQ-28A are important as they will save Australian lives and provide us with the combat mass to defend Australia and its national interests," Wing Commander Parsons said.
The MQ-28A project is exploring advances in technology that will provide new opportunities for innovation and military advantage, providing a unique perspective for the ADF to generate, employ and sustain military power.
A developmental aircraft designed and manufactured by Boeing Defence Australia, the MQ-28A is the first military aircraft designed in Australia in more than 50 years.
The project has funded eight initial MQ-28A variants for test and evaluation, the development of mission payloads and the fundamental knowledge, skills and experience in integrated system behaviour and autonomy to operationalise collaborative combat aircraft.
A further three MQ-28A Block 2 aircraft, with enhanced design and improved capability as well as a ground control station, will be delivered.
