Kizilelma vs MQ-28 Ghost Bat: Two Loyal-Wingman Philosophies (2026)
Turkey’s Bayraktar Kizilelma and Australia’s Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat represent two very different doctrines in the jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft (“loyal wingman”) class. Kizilelma is built as a self-sufficient UCAV with an internal weapons bay and heavy payload; Ghost Bat is a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) sensor and shooter node designed to fly next to a crewed jet. This piece compares the two platforms on size, thrust, range, weapons, production and procurement using verifiable numbers.
Bayraktar Kizilelma
Baykar · Türkiye · First flight 2022
MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Boeing Australia · First flight 2021
At-a-Glance Table
| Parameter | Kizilelma | MQ-28 Ghost Bat |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Country | Baykar / Türkiye | Boeing Australia / Australia |
| Class | Unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV) — MIUS | Loyal wingman / MUM-T sensor-shooter node |
| First flight | 14 December 2022 | 27 February 2021 |
| Length | 14.5 m | 11.7 m |
| Wingspan | 10.0 m | 7.3 m (Block 3 adds ~25%) |
| Engine | AI-25TLT (A) / AI-322F (B) / 2× AI-322F (C, planned) | Williams FJ44 (single) |
| Max thrust | ~24.5 kN dry / 44 kN with afterburner (AI-322F) | Block 3 targets ~12,000 lbf class |
| MTOW | 8,500 kg | ~4,500 → 5,400 kg (10,000 → 12,000 lb, Block 3) |
| Payload | 1,500 kg (roughly 1 t munitions incl. internal bay) | >2,000 kg (Block 3 announced; internal 2× AIM-120 or 4× GBU-39) |
| Service ceiling | ~14,000 m (45,000 ft) | High subsonic altitude (not fully disclosed) |
| Combat range | ~930 km (internal fuel) | 3,700 km (marketed ferry-class range) |
| Max speed | Mach 0.9 (~1,100 km/h) | Mach 0.9 (~1,080 km/h) |
| Weapons | Internal bay + external stations (SOM-J, GÖKDOĞAN, BOZDOĞAN, TEBER, MAM-T) | Modular nose; Block 3 adds 3 external + internal bay (AIM-120, GBU-39) |
| Operators | Türkiye (TAF delivery 2026); Indonesia (12+60 option contract, 2026) | Australia (RAAF target 2028); US, UK, Germany evaluating |
| Production | Serial production since Oct 2024; 5 prototypes + 2 serial airframes by early 2026 | Block 1: 8 prototypes; Block 2: 9 airframes; Block 3 in development |
| Doctrine | Standalone strike UCAV; TCG Anadolu deck operations targeted | MUM-T companion; swarming and sensor sharing with crewed jets |
Size, Engine and Aerodynamics
Kizilelma is meaningfully larger: 14.5 m length, 10 m wingspan, 8.5 t MTOW. Ghost Bat is 11.7 m long with a 7.3 m span and sits in the 4.5–5.4 t class (10,000 lb rising to 12,000 lb in Block 3). The gap is deliberate. Kizilelma is sized to carry weapons and prosecute strike on its own; Ghost Bat was originally scoped as an attritable wingman flying next to a crewed jet. The Block 3 wing enlargement and MTOW increase mark Ghost Bat’s shift from “light helper” to real payload carrier.
The Kizilelma-B uses the Ivchenko-Progress AI-322F turbofan — 24.5 kN dry, 44 kN with afterburner. A twin-engine Kizilelma-C is planned and would approach supersonic envelopes. Ghost Bat pairs a Williams FJ44 (economical, easy to sustain); Block 3 upgrades to a 12,000 lbf-class engine. Both aircraft live in the subsonic Mach 0.9 regime; Kizilelma’s afterburner option matters for takeoff performance and short-window climb.
Kizilelma is quoted at ~930 km combat radius on internal fuel; Ghost Bat is quoted at 3,700 km range for long-legged transit. The two numbers are not the same metric: Kizilelma’s is a combat radius (out-and-back with weapons), Ghost Bat’s is a manufacturer range figure that will fall with a real strike profile. On ceiling, Kizilelma targets above 45,000 ft; Ghost Bat’s ceiling is not fully disclosed but operations sit in the high subsonic band.
Kizilelma’s internal weapons bay reduces radar cross-section and integrates the Turkish stack: SOM-J cruise missile, GÖKDOĞAN/BOZDOĞAN air-to-air missiles, TEBER precision bomb, MAM-T munitions. Ghost Bat’s Block 3 puts 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM or 4× GBU-39 SDB in the bay, plus 3 external stations. Kizilelma is a shooter on its own; Ghost Bat is a shooter that lets a crewed jet stand off. On sensors, Ghost Bat’s modular nose swaps ELINT, EW and fire control roles fast.
Doctrine: Standalone UCAV vs Loyal Wingman
The main axis that separates the two platforms is doctrine. Kizilelma is designed to launch from short decks like TCG Anadolu or short strips and fly alone for air superiority or strike sorties. Baykar validated the K-SWARM architecture with multiple Kizilelmas coordinating in 2026, in the same period Kizilelma completed an autonomous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile shot.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat sits inside Boeing’s “loyal wingman” doctrine: a companion aircraft next to a crewed F/A-18F or E-7A that extends sensor coverage, draws radar attention, and — through Block 3 — releases weapons. The absence of an internal weapons bay until Block 3 reflected that stance; the new 2× AMRAAM internal load brings Ghost Bat closer to a direct-strike role. In December 2025 Ghost Bat destroyed a target drone with a live AMRAAM shot.
Production, Orders and Cost
Production status
Kizilelma entered serial production in October 2024; by early 2026 there were 5 prototypes and 2 serial airframes on the line. First delivery to the Turkish Armed Forces is expected within 2026. Baykar has publicly targeted “at least 10 aircraft” for 2026. Indonesia signed a contract in May 2026 for 12 aircraft plus 60 options. On the Boeing side, 8 Block 1 prototypes have flown, 9 Block 2 airframes are planned (3 delivered in 2025, 6 ordered December 2025), and A$1.4 billion in additional funding for Block 3 was announced December 2025.
Order book and probable customers
Turkey is the anchor Kizilelma operator; Indonesia is a confirmed export customer. Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Morocco have appeared in press coverage as prospects, but there are no signed contracts. Ghost Bat’s confirmed operator is RAAF (operational target 2028); the USAF, US Navy, UK RAF/RN and German Bundeswehr are actively evaluating without signed contracts.
Unit cost (open source)
Neither Baykar nor Boeing has disclosed a firm unit price. Press coverage of Ghost Bat has discussed a “sub-USD 10 million target,” which Block 3 modernization is expected to push upward. Kizilelma’s unit price has never been disclosed; the total value of the Indonesia contract is undisclosed as well, so per-unit inference is unreliable. Round claims like “one-tenth of an F-35” are estimates without a primary source.
Which Nation, Which Scenario, Which Aircraft?
This is not a beauty contest — it’s two different use cases:
Nations operating short-deck ships (TCG Anadolu class)
Countries needing an unmanned combat aircraft that can launch from a short runway or ski-jump/arrestor deck fit Kizilelma naturally. Turkey is the immediate customer; light-carrier operators of the Italian/Spanish class are natural candidates.
Nations extending an existing F-35/F/A-18 fleet
Ghost Bat is designed for the USAF/RAAF/RAF/Bundeswehr profile that wants to bolt unmanned shooters onto a 5th-gen crewed fleet. Its swarm doctrine assumes a crewed aircraft nearby.
Mid-size nations wanting independent air power
For countries that cannot source a 5th-gen crewed fighter but want a credible deterrent, Kizilelma offers a cleaner solution: it carries weapons on its own, it strikes on its own, and it coordinates in a swarm.
Nations avoiding US export restrictions
Kizilelma sits in the Turkish inventory and avoids ITAR-style controls — a practical advantage for Middle East, North African and Southeast Asian buyers.
Timeline
| Year | Kizilelma | MQ-28 Ghost Bat |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | — | Program launched; mock-up shown at Avalon Airshow |
| 2021 | Baykar unveiled the concept | 27 Feb: first flight (RAAF Base Woomera) |
| 2022 | 14 Dec: first flight | Flight test continues |
| 2023 | Air-to-air missile trial | Public display at Avalon 2023 |
| 2024 | Oct: serial production begins | Oct: 100+ flight hours |
| 2025 | Nov: autonomous BVR AAM shot; Dec: autonomous formation | Mar: 100th test flight; Dec: live AIM-120 shot; A$1.4B funding |
| 2026 | May: Indonesia contract (12+60); Jun: K-SWARM MUM-T; TAF first-delivery year | Block 3 development active |
| 2028 | Indonesia delivery target | RAAF operational target |
FAQ
Are Kizilelma and MQ-28 in the same class?
Both are jet-powered subsonic unmanned combat aircraft. Kizilelma is a standalone UCAV; MQ-28 was designed as a loyal wingman. They diverge on size and role.
Which is larger?
Kizilelma: 14.5 m length, 10 m wingspan, 8.5 t MTOW. Ghost Bat Block 1: 11.7 m length, 7.3 m wingspan; Block 3 narrows the gap.
Which flies farther?
Ghost Bat’s manufacturer figure is 3,700 km range; Kizilelma’s combat radius is ~930 km on internal fuel. These metrics are not directly comparable.
What does Kizilelma carry internally?
SOM-J cruise missile, GÖKDOĞAN/BOZDOĞAN air-to-air missiles, TEBER precision bomb, MAM-T. The internal bay reduces radar cross-section.
What does MQ-28 carry internally?
Block 3 adds an internal bay for 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM or 4× GBU-39 SDB, plus 3 external stations. Earlier blocks had no internal bay.
Which delivers first?
Kizilelma delivers to TAF within 2026. Ghost Bat’s RAAF operational date is 2028. US and European customer timelines are undefined.
Does Kizilelma have export customers?
Yes: Indonesia signed a May 2026 contract for 12 aircraft plus 60 options, delivery targeted 2028.
Is MQ-28 being exported?
Active interest exists (USAF, US Navy, RAF, Bundeswehr) but no signed export orders yet. RAAF remains the anchor operator.
Unit cost gap?
Neither manufacturer discloses. Press “sub-USD 10 million” figures for Ghost Bat are targets; Block 3 pushes them up. Kizilelma has never been priced publicly.
Is Kizilelma carrier-capable?
Yes: Baykar targets short-deck operation such as TCG Anadolu. Arrestor-launcher integration is in development.
Which has more mature swarm capability?
Kizilelma demonstrated K-SWARM and autonomous formation in 2025. MQ-28 emphasises MUM-T teaming with a crewed jet — different doctrines.
Which is ITAR-free?
Kizilelma sits in the Turkish inventory and is procured outside the US export control system. Ghost Bat exports are subject to US ITAR and Australian export controls.
Sources:
Wikipedia — Bayraktar Kizilelma ·
Wikipedia — Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat ·
Boeing — MQ-28 Ghost Bat ·
Airforce-Technology — Bayraktar Kizilelma ·
Militarnyi — second Kizilelma assembled ·
The Defense Post — Baykar serial production
