MQ-28 Ghost Bat vs MQ-25 Stingray
Ghost Bat and Stingray show why an uncrewed military jet is not necessarily an uncrewed fighter. Ghost Bat is a collaborative combat-aircraft development; Stingray's central mission is carrier-based aerial refueling in support of other aircraft.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | MQ-28 Ghost Bat | MQ-25 Stingray |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boeing Australia | Boeing |
| Country of origin | Australia | USA |
| Mission role | Loyal Wingman / ISR / Strike | Carrier-Based Aerial Refueling |
| Year introduced | 2021 | 2021 |
| Length | 11.7 m | 15.5 m |
| Wingspan | 7.3 m | 22.7 m |
| Height | 2.4 m | 3 m |
| Maximum speed | 926 km/h | Production-aircraft performance not fully publicly disclosed |
| Published range | 3,700 km | 15,000 lb fuel delivery at 500 nmi is a mission requirement, not maximum range |
| Endurance | 5+ hours | Mission-dependent; final operational figure not publicly disclosed |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m | 12,000 m |
| Payload | Classified | Aerial-refueling fuel and equipment; configuration-dependent |
| Weight | 5,700 kg | 20,000 kg |
| Armament | Air-to-air missiles, bombs (modular internal bay) | No operational weapons configuration publicly confirmed; primary mission is refueling |
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
Fuel-delivery capacity and collaborative mission-payload capacity are not the same measurement. Identify the intended supported force and basing environment before comparing dimensions. A tanker demonstration should not be described as an air-to-air combat capability, nor should a teaming concept be assumed to provide carrier refueling.
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 MQ-25 Stingray
Stingray's central purpose is carrier-based aerial refueling. Its aircraft, deck operations and integration are organized around supporting other aircraft rather than duplicating the mission of an armed loyal wingman.
A tanker demonstration or carrier test does not establish a completed deployment cycle, and fuel delivery is not interchangeable with weapons payload.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named MQ-28 Ghost Bat and MQ-25 Stingray 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 MQ-25 Stingray?
Ghost Bat and Stingray show why an uncrewed military jet is not necessarily an uncrewed fighter. Ghost Bat is a collaborative combat-aircraft development; Stingray's central mission is carrier-based aerial refueling in support of other aircraft.
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 MQ-25 Stingray 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
- MQ-25 Stingray: 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.