Saab joins Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat industry team
Boeing has formally welcomed Saab into the Ghost Bat Australian Team to provide Saab Australia’s TactiCall Communications Solution, including user terminals, network, and radio infrastructure, as well as avionics equipment such as Electro Mechanical Actuators and Controllers for the Primary Flight Control System from Saab in Sweden.
“The Ghost Bat is an exciting program for the Australian defence sector and demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between global defence organisations, local businesses, and the Defence Force,” said Andy Keough CSC, Saab Australia’s managing director.
“We are excited to be part of the Boeing-led team for the MQ-28 program, supplying our TactiCall Communications Solution, which integrates all communications technologies into one intuitive user interface to enable information to be securely monitored and shared across multiple classification levels.”
“Saab looks forward to continuing our involvement in the program, collaborating with the Boeing team, and supplying technologically superior solutions for the Australian Defence Force.”
Saab joins more than 200 companies on the MQ-28 program being co-developed by Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
“We have been very focused on providing opportunities for Australian companies, increasing the number specifically engaged on the development of the platform from 55 to 74 over the past 12 months. As we evolve a truly global capability, we are also incorporating Saab’s flight-proven electromechanical actuation equipment to enable us to work at speed to accelerate our ability to meet operational requirements,” said Glen Ferguson, Boeing MQ-28 global program director.
“The maturity of our supply chain demonstrates our progress and commitment to providing opportunities for Australian companies to grow with us as we continue to advance towards delivering an operationally capable platform and explore markets outside of Australia.”
Since its inception in 2017, Boeing’s Australian MQ-28 program has progressed from initial design to accelerating and exceeding milestones, most recently completing successful teaming flights during which multiple aircraft have tested mission scenarios and shared information while airborne.