Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 alongside U.S. and coalition aircraft, becoming the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to deploy in a multinational joint operational exercise.
During the exercise, the Australian-developed MQ-28 integrated with U.S. Pacific Command in support of the U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit’s CCA integration objectives. Operating alongside crewed platforms, the aircraft helped refine tactics, techniques and procedures while demonstrating interoperability and integration within a joint force.
“Having MQ-28 participate in such a significant military training exercise is a first, and this is just the start of demonstrating how advanced human-machine teaming extends the reach and awareness of crewed platforms and enhances joint force operations,” said Steve Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
“We’ve proven that it’s combat capable and now U.S. military, along with allied and partner forces, are able to test it first-hand and experience the value and advantage that CCA bring to the force mix.”
As part of Boeing’s broader family of systems, MQ-28 has been developed using open mission systems and government reference architectures, enabling defence forces to rapidly integrate sovereign payloads for specific mission requirements. It is designed to operate alongside 4th, 5th and 6th-generation aircraft.
“MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the most proven, mature CCA in allied nations and this latest demonstration highlights our readiness to bring this Australian-developed capability to global air forces,” stated by Amy List, Vice President and Managing Director, Boeing Defence Australia.
Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise focused on integrating the joint force, fostering real-world proficiency in detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.
