– The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to be integrated into the multinational joint force exercise Valiant Shield 2026.
– The MQ-28 Ghost Bat participated alongside the F-35A, F-35B and several other joint and coalition aircraft.
– Provides key learnings on CCA combat agile deployment, maintenance and employment to the USAF Experimental Operations Unit.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 7, 2026 – boeing [NYSE: BA] MQ-28 Ghost Bat has participated in Exercise Valiant Shield along with F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, HC-130, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G, RC-135 and several other joint and coalition aircraft, becoming the first and only collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) deployed in a multinational joint operational exercise.
During Valiant Shield 2026 in June, the Australian-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat was integrated with US Pacific Command forces to support the US Air Force Experimental Operations Unit’s CCA integration objectives.
The aircraft participated alongside manned platforms as they refined tactics, techniques and procedures around the Mariana Islands Ridge Complex in the Western Pacific region. Such exercises are essential to ensure the interoperability and interchangeability elements of the MQ-28 and demonstrate the ability to deploy and integrate into a joint force.
“Having the MQ-28 participate in such a major military training exercise is a first, and this is just the beginning of demonstrating how advanced human-machine matching expands the reach and awareness of manned platforms and enhances joint force operations,” said Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
“We have proven it is combat capable and now the U.S. military, along with allied and partner forces, can test it firsthand and experience the value and advantage the CCA brings to the force mix.”
As part of Boeing’s broader family of systems, the MQ-28 has been developed using open mission systems and government reference architectures that enable defense forces to rapidly integrate sovereign payloads for their specific mission requirements. It is designed to be combined with fourth, fifth and sixth generation aircraft to enhance fleet-wide capabilities.
“The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the most proven and mature CCA in allied nations and this latest demonstration highlights our readiness to bring this Australian-developed capability to global air forces,” said Amy List, vice president and general manager, Boeing Defense Australia.
Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise focused on joint force integration, fostering real-world proficiency to detect, locate, track and engage units at sea, air, land and cyberspace in response to a variety of mission areas.
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Contact
Belinda Egan
Boeing Australia Communications
belinda.h.egan@boeing.com
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com
