Ground breaking ceremony for the final assembly point for Boeing unmanned Loyal Wingman planes (Boeing Airpower Teaming System) happened at Toowoomba.
Not only, it's the first Boeing "final assembly production facility" outside North America, this is also the first time in 50 years, a combat aircraft (MQ-28 Ghost Bat) will be built in Queensland, Australia.
The Ghost Bat is a Collaborative Combat Aircraft with fighter-like performance and, in addition to acting as a loyal wingman to crewed and uncrewed aircraft, it is designed to support surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
Following early works, construction of the production and final assembly facility will commence later this year and is expected to be complete by 2027.
Development of the facility is expected to support about 200 construction jobs while the production facility could create at least 100 highly skilled advanced manufacturing jobs.
Boeing has begun construction at the Toowoomba site where it will build the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.
Queensland was selected as the state to host the build of the uncrewed plane in 2020, with Wellcamp Airport selected for a new factory in September 2021.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick quoted :
“For the first time in more than 50 years we are going to build combat aircraft in Australia, but this time it will be in Queensland, " “The Ghost Bat is a momentous project for Queensland’s future and for Australia’s sovereign capabilities.
“A project of this magnitude firmly establishes Queensland as Australia’s prime location for significant, high-tech, advanced manufacturing projects.
“The 100 highly skilled operational jobs here in Toowoomba once production commences in 2027 will be in addition to Boeing’s considerable Queensland workforce that currently stands at around 2,400 people.
“It’s estimated the economic benefit to in Queensland of this project could be up to $1 billion over 10 years.”
Glen Ferguson, director Airpower Teaming System Australia : “Selecting the Ghost Bat, an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft’s sensors and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance abilities, and is a fitting name for this pioneering capability.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Boeing said that the 9,000 square metre facility at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct is expected to be operational “in the next three years”, and Boeing Australia posted on social media that ground had been broken.
“Boeing Australia is investing to bring this innovative, uncrewed capability to market in the timeframe that supports our customers’ future needs,” said Amy List, the recently-appointed managing director of Boeing Defence Australia.
“The MQ-28 is designed to transform air combat and provide affordable mass for Australia and our allies.”
The MQ-28 was formerly known as the Loyal Wingman until March 2021, and was developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force consortium of over 35 Australian participants, including BAE Systems, Ferra Engineering and RUAG Australia.
Scott Carpendale, Vice President Boeing Global Services – Government Services, Asia Pacific region quoted :
“Our over 30-year strong partnership with the Queensland Government has resulted in a number of cutting-edge Boeing systems and technologies being developed in the region.”
“The groundbreaking of the MQ-28 production facility reinforces Boeing’s confidence in the local defence and aviation industry, and we’re excited about the opportunities that will come from this next exciting step in our partnership with the Queensland Government.”
The site will be Boeing’s first final assembly facility outside of North America, added List, “indicative of our global focus and a continued commitment to a sustainable and robust Australian aerospace industry.”
Development of the facility will support about 200 construction jobs with the production facility expected to create at least 100 highly skilled advanced manufacturing jobs. Construction of the facility is being managed by privately-owned Wagner Corporation, which owns the precinct.
Related article......
