Germany Leaps Ahead in Collaborative Combat Aircraft Development
Germany's defense industry is advancing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft capabilities through Boeing and Rheinmetall's partnership on the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. This mature platform enables swift capability development, including integration of German technologies.
The initiative aims to enhance the German Air Force's operational readiness by 2029. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat has already participated in multinational exercises, such as Exercise Valiant Shield, and offers a realistic development environment for manned-unmanned aircraft cooperation.
Glen Ferguson, Global Director of the MQ-28 program, emphasizes that while many CCA programs are still in the concept phase, the MQ-28 has already completed essential development steps. The platform's high maturity level allows Germany to immediately build sovereign capabilities, including integrating German sensors, weapons, and mission software.
Rheinmetall is contributing as a system integrator to accelerate the build-up of CCA capabilities in Germany. Mike Schmidt, CEO of the Business Unit Air, Uncrewed and Space, states that Germany can bypass the lengthy development phase of a new aircraft and focus on integrating sovereign technologies.