Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Makes History as First CCA to Participate in Multinational Combat Exercise

Boeing announced on July 2, 2026, that the MQ-28 Ghost Bat has become the first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in history to participate in a multinational joint combat exercise. The aircraft flew operational missions during Exercise Valiant Shield in June 2026, fighting alongside U.S. and allied manned combat aircraft across the Western Pacific.

Operating Alongside a Full Fleet of Front-Line Aircraft

According to Boeing, the Australian-developed Ghost Bat operated in coordination with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces in support of the U.S. Air Force Experimental Operations Unit's CCA integration objectives. During the exercise, the Ghost Bat flew alongside an array of aircraft over the Marianas Islands Range Complex, including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, E-3 Sentry, E-2D Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler, and RC-135.

Advancing Manned-Unmanned Teaming Tactics

MQ-28 Ghost Bat and U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II participate in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 over the Philippine Sea (Image: U.S. Air Force)

Boeing said the exercise allowed forces to refine the tactics, techniques, and procedures for manned-unmanned aircraft teaming, while validating the Ghost Bat's ability to deploy and integrate within a joint force. Exercise Valiant Shield is a biennial large-scale exercise focused on integrating joint warfighting capabilities across air, maritime, land, and cyber domains.

"Having the MQ-28 participate in such a significant military training exercise is a historic first, and this is just the beginning of demonstrating how advanced manned-unmanned teaming can extend the range and situational awareness of crewed aircraft," said Steve Parker, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Parker added that following Boeing's validation of the MQ-28's "combat-ready" status, U.S., allied, and partner forces are now able to test the aircraft firsthand.

The U.S. Air Force Experimental Operations Unit is simultaneously conducting operational evaluations of two U.S.-developed CCA prototypes — General Atomics' YFQ-42A and Anduril's YFQ-44A — which are competing for an "Increment 1" production decision expected in fiscal year 2026.

Recent Milestones and Export Ambitions

Exercise Valiant Shield caps a string of rapidly accumulating milestones for the Ghost Bat. In December 2025, the MQ-28 successfully destroyed a target drone in its first live air-to-air missile firing, using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM. In May 2026, the aircraft completed its first flight outside of Australia at Point Mugu, California, followed by radar cross-section (RCS) verification on June 1, 2026.

Boeing is actively pursuing export opportunities for the aircraft, which is built on an open mission systems architecture and a government reference architecture.

"The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the most combat-proven and mature CCA among allied nations," said Amy List, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Australia Defence.

The Royal Australian Air Force has reportedly placed an initial order for six Ghost Bats, while Boeing and Germany's Rheinmetall have also submitted a procurement proposal to the German government.

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