MQ-28 Ghost Bat vs Bayraktar Kızılelma
Ghost Bat and Kızılelma both belong in discussions of future uncrewed combat aircraft, but their program requirements and basing concepts differ. Collaborative operation, strike and carrier-related intentions should be assessed through actual demonstrations rather than treated as a common finished capability.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | MQ-28 Ghost Bat | Bayraktar Kızılelma |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boeing Australia | Baykar Defense |
| Country of origin | Australia | Turkey |
| Mission role | Loyal Wingman / ISR / Strike | Carrier-Capable Strike / Air Superiority / Deep Penetration |
| Year introduced | 2021 | 2023 |
| Length | 11.7 m | 14.0 m |
| Wingspan | 7.3 m | 10.0 m |
| Height | 2.4 m | 3.0 m |
| Maximum speed | 926 km/h | 944 km/h (Mach 0.9) |
| Published range | 3,700 km | 930 km |
| Endurance | 5+ hours | 5+ hours |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m | 12,000 m |
| Payload | Classified | 1,500 kg |
| Weight | 5,700 kg | 6,000 kg (MTOW) |
| Armament | Air-to-air missiles, bombs (modular internal bay) | Internal bay: 2× Roketsan SOM cruise missiles or precision bombs; external hardpoints: up to 1,000 kg additional ordnance including MAM-L, HGK, TEBER smart kits |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Keep prototype flights, mission-system tests and operational introduction separate. An intended carrier role for Kızılelma does not establish a comparable basing requirement for Ghost Bat, while a teaming demonstration does not prove every advertised weapons or autonomy function is deployed.
Understanding MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Ghost Bat is a collaborative combat-aircraft development intended to work with other aircraft and mission systems. It should be assessed through demonstrated integration and mission roles rather than promotional uses of the phrase loyal wingman.
Prototype flights, sensor demonstrations, weapons work and an operational squadron are separate levels of evidence.
Understanding Bayraktar Kızılelma
Kızılelma is a jet-powered uncrewed combat-aircraft program rather than a simple enlargement of TB2. Its intended missions involve a different flight regime and development path from persistent propeller-driven armed surveillance.
Separate prototypes, intended carrier operation and proposed combat roles from capabilities demonstrated and fielded in a specified configuration.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named MQ-28 Ghost Bat and Bayraktar Kızılelma catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between MQ-28 Ghost Bat and Bayraktar Kızılelma?
Ghost Bat and Kızılelma both belong in discussions of future uncrewed combat aircraft, but their program requirements and basing concepts differ. Collaborative operation, strike and carrier-related intentions should be assessed through actual demonstrations rather than treated as a common finished capability.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the MQ-28 Ghost Bat and Bayraktar Kızılelma profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- MQ-28 Ghost Bat: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Bayraktar Kızılelma: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.