MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts in Valiant Shield Pacific Exercise
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, Boeing’s collaborative combat aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force, participated for the first time in the U.S.-led multinational exercise Valiant Shield 2026 (June 21–July 1). Spanning Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and Australia, the exercise involved forces from the U.S., Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. The semi-autonomous drone flew alongside manned fighters like F-35s and F-22s to test human-machine teaming, with Australian observers embedded. The RAAF aims for operational service by 2028, potentially making it the world’s first operational CCA.
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Australian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Flies Alongside U.S. F-15EX in Historic Pacific Exercise
On July 1, 2026, U.S. Pacific Air Forces released the first-ever image of a combat drone flying alongside a crewed fighter, an F-15EX Eagle II, over the Philippine Sea during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. The drone was not American but the Australian-built MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the first military aircraft designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. The MQ-28 has already shot down a target with a missile, flown from a U.S. Navy range, and attracted buyers from Berlin to Tokyo. While the U.S. Air Force is still testing prototypes for its own drone-wingman program, the Australian aircraft is further along in development, with a range exceeding 3,700 kilometers and a total Australian investment of A$2.4 billion. The flight involved an F-15EX from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, demonstrating the concept of a crewed fighter directing autonomous drones for enhanced combat capability.
19FortyFiveAustralian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Flies Alongside US F-15EX in Historic Pacific Exercise
On July 1, 2026, U.S. Pacific Air Forces released the first-ever image of a combat drone flying in formation with a crewed fighter, an F-15EX Eagle II, over the Philippine Sea during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. The drone is not American but the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the first military aircraft designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. The Ghost Bat has already achieved significant milestones, including shooting down a target with a missile, operating from a U.S. Navy range, and attracting interest from Germany and Japan. While the U.S. Air Force is still testing prototypes for its own drone-wingman program, the Australian aircraft is further along in development, with Australia committing A$2.4 billion to push it from prototype to frontline service. The MQ-28 features stealth shaping, autonomy software, a swappable nose for different missions, and a range exceeding 3,700 kilometers.
19FortyFiveAustralian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Flies Alongside US F-15EX in Historic Pacific Exercise
On July 1, 2026, U.S. Pacific Air Forces released the first-ever image of a combat drone flying in formation with a crewed fighter, an F-15EX Eagle II, over the Philippine Sea during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. The drone is not American but the Australian-built MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the first military aircraft designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. The MQ-28 has already achieved combat milestones including shooting down a target with a missile and operating from a U.S. Navy range. While the U.S. Air Force is still testing prototypes for its own drone-wingman program, the Australian aircraft has attracted buyers from Berlin to Tokyo. The article highlights the maturity of the Ghost Bat program, which has received A$2.4 billion in Australian funding and is transitioning from prototype to frontline service.
19FortyFiveF-15EX Flies Alongside CCA Drone in Historic Pacific Exercise
During Exercise Valiant Shield 26 over the Philippine Sea, an F-15EX Eagle II fighter flew alongside an uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), marking the first time the US Air Force has published imagery of such a pairing. The CCA was Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat, participating to help Airmen practice human-machine teaming for future combat operations. While the Air Force has committed to acquiring General Atomics' FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 as its primary CCAs, the MQ-28 served as a surrogate for this exercise. The F-15EX, envisioned as a complement to stealth fighters like the F-35 and F-47, recently had its planned fleet size doubled from 129 to 267 aircraft. It remains unclear whether the F-15EX pilot controlled the MQ-28 during the flight, as PACAF declined to discuss tactical integration details.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-15EX Flies Alongside CCA Drone in Pacific Exercise
The U.S. Air Force conducted a historic flight during Exercise Valiant Shield 26 over the Philippine Sea, pairing an F-15EX Eagle II fighter with an uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Pacific Air Forces announced the July 1 flight, calling it a demonstration of future human-machine teaming in the Pacific theater. The F-15EX, visiting Kadena Air Base in Japan, is expected to be permanently based there. The CCA program aims to expand combat mass at lower cost while reducing risk to pilots. While the Air Force has committed to buying General Atomics' FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 as CCAs, the MQ-28 participated in the exercise for training purposes. This marks the first time the Air Force has published imagery of a CCA flying alongside a manned fighter, though previous tests with F-22 and F-35 pilots controlling MQ-20 drones have occurred. It remains unclear if the F-15EX pilot directly controlled the MQ-28 during the flight.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-15EX Flies Alongside Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone in Pacific Exercise
The U.S. Air Force conducted a historic flight during Exercise Valiant Shield 26 over the Philippine Sea, pairing an F-15EX Eagle II fighter with an uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), specifically Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Pacific Air Forces announced the event on July 1, highlighting it as a demonstration of future human-machine teaming in the Pacific theater. The F-15EX, visiting Kadena Air Base in Japan, and the MQ-28 are both expected to be key components of the Air Force's future combat fleet, though the service has committed to purchasing General Atomics' FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 as its primary CCAs. This marks the first time the Air Force has published imagery of a CCA flying alongside a manned fighter, though previous tests have involved F-22 and F-35 pilots controlling MQ-20 drones. It remains unclear whether the F-15EX pilot directly controlled the MQ-28 during the flight, as PACAF declined to discuss specific tactical integration details.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-15EX Eagle II and MQ-28 Ghost Bat Team Up Over Pacific During Valiant Shield Exercise
During the U.S.-led Valiant Shield 26 exercise in the Indo-Pacific, a U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II was photographed operating alongside an MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone over the Philippine Sea. This marks the first known real-world pairing of the two Boeing platforms, signaling the F-15EX's likely evolution into a controller for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) stated the demonstration showcases 'the future of human-machine teaming.' The F-15EX's two-person cockpit, large displays, processing power, and long range make it ideal for drone command and control. Pilots and weapon system officers interviewed noted the back-seat role could expand to battle management and directing unmanned fighters. The Air Force is considering fielding CCA drones at Kadena Air Base in Japan, where F-15EXs are also based, to counter China's growing air power in the region.
TWZF-15EX and MQ-28 Ghost Bat Fly Together During Valiant Shield Exercise
During the U.S.-led Valiant Shield 26 exercise in the Indo-Pacific, a U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighter was photographed operating alongside an MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone over the Philippine Sea. This marks the first known real-world pairing of the two Boeing platforms, signaling the F-15EX's likely evolution into a controller for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. The article highlights the F-15EX's two-person cockpit, large displays, and networking capabilities as ideal for drone command and control. Quotes from F-15EX pilots emphasize the potential for the back-seat weapon system officer to manage unmanned fighters and dictate the battlespace. The exercise demonstrates human-machine teaming in a high-end coalition environment, with implications for future CCA operations in the Indo-Pacific theater, including potential basing at Kadena Air Base in Japan.
TWZBoeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Fly with US Aircraft in Pacific Exercise Valiant Shield 2026
The U.S. Air Force is testing Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Pacific, flying alongside manned fighters including F-35s, F-22s, and F/A-18Es. The MQ-28 is a production-representative test aircraft developed with the Royal Australian Air Force and is not one of the two CCA variants the USAF has committed to purchasing. The exercise, held on Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands, includes missions such as defensive and offensive counter air operations. A PACAF spokesperson declined to provide specific flight or tactical integration details for operational security reasons. The partnership aims to build experience in autonomous platform operations and sustainment, informing the USAF's ongoing CCA development. This marks a significant step in integrating semi-autonomous drones with crewed aircraft in a large-scale exercise environment.
Air & Space Forces MagazineBoeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Fly with U.S. Aircraft in Pacific Exercise
The U.S. Air Force is testing Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed with the Royal Australian Air Force, during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Pacific. The MQ-28, a production representative test aircraft, will fly alongside manned U.S. fighters such as F-35s, F-22s, and F/A-18s to practice defensive and offensive counter air missions. This is notable as the MQ-28 is not among the two CCA variants the Air Force has committed to buying, but the exercise provides critical experience in autonomous platform operations, employment, and sustainment concepts. PACAF cited operational security reasons for not disclosing specific integration details, but stated the partnership will inform the service's broader CCA development efforts.
Air & Space Forces MagazineBoeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Fly with US Aircraft in Pacific Exercise Valiant Shield 2026
The U.S. Air Force is testing Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed with the Royal Australian Air Force, during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Pacific. The semi-autonomous uncrewed aircraft will fly alongside manned fighters including F-35s, F-22s, and F/A-18s to practice defensive and offensive counter air missions. Notably, the MQ-28 is not one of the two CCA designs the Air Force has committed to buying, making its inclusion in the exercise surprising. The Air Force previously flew a different CCA prototype (YFQ-44) in an exercise in April. PACAF stated the partnership builds critical experience in autonomous platform operations and sustainment concepts, directly informing the development of future capabilities. Operational security restrictions prevent disclosure of specific tactical integration details.
Air & Space Forces MagazineMQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts in Large-Force Combat Exercise in the Pacific
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone is participating for the first time in Valiant Shield 2026, a major U.S.-led multinational military exercise spanning Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and Australia. The drone, configured with an infrared search and track sensor, will be used to advance human-machine teaming alongside crewed fighters. Australian Defense Force personnel are embedded with U.S. operators to observe autonomous operations in a complex multi-domain environment. The exercise, directed by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, runs from June 21 to July 1 and includes forces from the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. The MQ-28 is slated to enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force by 2028, potentially becoming the world's first operational collaborative combat aircraft. Boeing recently conducted separate test flights off southern California to validate autonomous operations and rapid deployment from allied locations.
TWZMQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts In Large-Force Combat Exercise In The Pacific
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone is participating for the first time in a multinational large-force exercise, Valiant Shield 2026, which runs June 21-July 1 and spans Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and Australia. The U.S.-led exercise involves forces from the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. The MQ-28, operated by U.S. personnel with Australian aviator observers, is being tested in complex multi-domain operations to advance human-machine teaming. Configured with an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor, the drone is designed to extend sensor coverage, serve as a weapons platform, and reduce risk to human pilots. The exercise provides critical exposure to coalition integration ahead of the MQ-28's planned operational service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2028, which would likely make it the world's first operational collaborative combat aircraft.
TWZMQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts in Large-Force Combat Exercise in the Pacific
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone is participating in Valiant Shield 2026, a major U.S.-led multinational military exercise spanning Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and Australia. This marks the first time the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) has taken part in a large-force coalition exercise. The drone, developed by Boeing for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is being used to advance human-machine teaming, flying alongside crewed fighters. Australian aviator observers are working with U.S. operators to integrate the uncrewed aircraft into complex multi-domain operations. The MQ-28 is configured with an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor and is designed to extend sensor coverage, serve as a weapons platform, and reduce risk to human pilots. The exercise provides a proving ground for coalition integration, with the RAAF aiming to have the MQ-28 operational by 2028, potentially making it the first operational CCA globally.
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