Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat Joins US Air Force in Landmark Indo-Pacific Exercise

The Australian-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat, operated by Boeing, made its debut in a major multinational military exercise, Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, conducted over the Philippine Sea. This marked the first time a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) participated alongside a comprehensive array of USAF and allied aircraft in a joint operational drill in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise was held in June 2026, leveraging the Marianas Island Range Complex to test and refine joint tactics and interoperability.

During the exercise, the MQ-28 operated in conjunction with crewed platforms including F-35A and F-35B Lightning IIs, F-15EX Eagle IIs, HC-130 transports, E-3 Sentry AWACS, E-2D Hawkeyes, EA-18G Growlers, and intelligence aircraft like the RC-135, representing a snapshot of joint and coalition air power. The integration of the unmanned MQ-28 with these platforms embodied the cutting-edge concept of human-machine teaming under the command of the U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed with open mission systems architecture and government reference frameworks that enable rapid customization and integration of sovereign payloads, allowing flexibility for different defence forces’ mission profiles. Boeing highlighted the aircraft’s ability to operate alongside fourth, fifth, and future sixth-generation platforms, boosting the capabilities and situational awareness of the broader air fleet.

Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, emphasized that the MQ-28’s participation signals a significant leap forward in combat readiness and joint force capability. He pointed out that this demonstration provides a tangible experience for the U.S., allied, and partner forces to understand the operational value the MQ-28’s collaborative combat capabilities add to the force mix.

Amy List, vice president and managing director at Boeing Defence Australia, underscored the MQ-28’s maturity and proven technology status among allied nations. She stated that the aircraft’s involvement in Valiant Shield affirms Boeing’s readiness to market and deliver this Australian-developed capability to air forces worldwide.

Exercise Valiant Shield is held biennially with the goal of integrating joint forces and improving real-world operational proficiency across various domains: sea, air, land, and cyberspace. The 2026 iteration was a complex scenario involving detection, tracking, and engagement of simulated threats, focused heavily on collaboration between multiple services and nations in the Indo-Pacific theatre.

This successful deployment not only advances the concept of manned-unmanned teaming but also validates the MQ-28's ability to integrate and operate seamlessly within a joint force context. The experience gained will inform tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for future combat operations involving CCAs and crewed platforms together.

The MQ-28’s participation strengthens the U.S. and allied coalition's capability in a strategically vital region, where the evolving security environment demands advanced, interoperable systems. Boeing’s role as a major aerospace exporter brings technological innovation to enhance defense cooperation across more than 150 countries, with the MQ-28 poised to become a key asset in allied air power.

As the exercise concluded, Boeing affirmed its commitment to safety, quality, and integrity in delivering defense innovations. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat's successful integration sets a precedent for unmanned systems expanding the reach and awareness of manned aircraft, highlighting a new dimension in collaborative air combat that will influence future deployments.