# Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Flies at Valiant Shield

> Source: [https://icharles.com/articles/boeing-mq-28-ghost-bat-valiant-shield](https://icharles.com/articles/boeing-mq-28-ghost-bat-valiant-shield) (canonical)
> Author: iCharles News — iCharles, https://icharles.com
> Published: 2026-07-03

## TL;DR

Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat became the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to participate in a multinational, joint operational exercise when it flew at Valiant Shield 2026 in June. The Australian-developed uncrewed aircraft integrated with U.S. Pacific Command forces near the Marianas Island Range Complex, flying alongside F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, and other crewed platforms to refine tactics and test CCA integration objectives.

## What happened at Valiant Shield 2026?

Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat flew at Valiant Shield 2026 in June, becoming the first and only collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) deployed to a multinational, joint operational exercise. The Australian-developed uncrewed aircraft operated alongside U.S. Pacific Command forces near the Marianas Island Range Complex in the Western Pacific.

The exercise included crewed platforms such as the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, HC-130, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G, and RC-135. Forces used the exercise to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures around CCA integration, [according to Mirage News](https://www.miragenews.com/boeing-mq-28-takes-flight-with-us-air-force-1703827/).

## What is the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?

**The MQ-28 Ghost Bat** is an uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft built by Boeing Defence Australia. It is designed to team with 4th, 5th, and 6th-generation crewed aircraft to extend their reach and awareness in contested environments.

[Boeing's product page](https://www.boeing.com/defense/autonomous-and-unmanned-systems/mq-28-ghost-bat) lists the aircraft's key specs: 38 feet long, a wingspan of 24 feet, a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles, a top speed of up to Mach 0.9, and a service ceiling above 40,000 feet. Boeing says it costs roughly one-tenth of a crewed platform by design.

## What were the goals of the Valiant Shield deployment?

The USAF's Experimental Operations Unit used the exercise to pursue CCA integration objectives. Specifically, forces tested interoperability and interchangeability between the MQ-28 and crewed platforms, and worked to prove the aircraft's ability to deploy and integrate into a joint force.

Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said: "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."

Amy List, vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, called the MQ-28 "the most proven, mature CCA in allied nations."

## What is Valiant Shield?

Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise focused on integrating the joint force. It trains real-world proficiency in detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace across a range of mission areas.

## How does the MQ-28's architecture support allied forces?

The MQ-28 uses open mission systems and government reference architectures. Boeing says this allows defense forces to rapidly integrate sovereign payloads for their specific mission needs. Its modular nose design enables quick payload swaps.

Here's what we know so far about the aircraft's broader deployment history, based on the sources:

| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| First flights in Australia | Developed and initially tested by Boeing Defence Australia |
| First U.S. flights | Three flights at Point Mugu Sea Range, NAS Ventura County, California |
| Point Mugu announcement | Boeing announced May 27, 2026 |
| Valiant Shield 2026 | June 2026, Marianas Island Range Complex, Western Pacific |
| First multinational joint exercise | Valiant Shield 2026 — a first for any CCA |

## What did the Point Mugu flights prove?

Before Valiant Shield, Boeing announced on May 27, 2026, that the MQ-28 had completed three flights at the Point Mugu Sea Range in California — its first flights outside Australia. [The Aviationist reported](https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/28/the-mq-28-ghost-bat-is-now-flying-in-the-u-s/) that the goal was to validate autonomous operations and show rapid deployment from an allied location.

Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 global program director, said: "MQ-28 is using this location to further prove the maturity of the program and inform future exportability."

The aircraft that flew at Point Mugu, identified as ATS-008, carried an all-gray livery and featured an Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) sensor on the nose along with Boeing's Phantom Works logo on the tail.

## Which aircraft flew alongside the MQ-28 at Valiant Shield?

- F-35A
- F-35B
- F-15EX
- HC-130
- E-3
- E-2D
- EA-18G
- RC-135
- Various other joint and coalition aircraft

This mix of platforms reflects the MQ-28's stated design purpose: teaming with 4th, 5th, and 6th-generation aircraft to enhance the whole fleet's capability.

The MQ-28's open-system architecture is part of a broader trend in autonomous military systems — similar to how [autonomous warehouse robots](articles/agility-digit-warehouse-deployment-amazon) and [humanoid production lines](/articles/agibot-g2-humanoid-robot-production-line) are being tested for real-world operational integration. The push to validate autonomous systems in live operational settings spans both defense and commercial sectors. Separately, [drone incidents near civilian aircraft](/articles/jetblue-drone-strike-jfk-newark) have also sharpened public attention on uncrewed aircraft operating in shared airspace.

Boeing's next confirmed step is continued maturation of the MQ-28 program, with Valiant Shield 2026 described by Boeing Defense as "just the start" of demonstrating how human-machine teaming extends the reach of crewed platforms.

## Frequently asked questions

****What is the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?****

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft built by Boeing Defence Australia. It is designed to team with 4th, 5th, and 6th-generation crewed aircraft. It measures 38 feet long, has a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles, can reach speeds up to Mach 0.9, and operates at altitudes above 40,000 feet. Boeing says it costs about one-tenth of a crewed platform.

****What made the Valiant Shield 2026 deployment historic for the MQ-28?****

Valiant Shield 2026 marked the first time any collaborative combat aircraft was deployed to a multinational, joint operational exercise. The MQ-28 flew alongside U.S. Pacific Command forces near the Marianas Island Range Complex in June 2026, integrating with crewed platforms including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, and others to test CCA tactics and procedures.

****Where did the MQ-28 fly in the United States?****

Boeing announced on May 27, 2026, that the MQ-28 completed three flights at the Point Mugu Sea Range at U.S. Naval Base Ventura County in California. These were the aircraft's first flights outside Australia. The aircraft that flew, identified as ATS-008, featured an all-gray livery and an Infra-Red Search and Track sensor on the nose.

****Who leads the MQ-28 program at Boeing?****

Glen Ferguson serves as MQ-28 global program director. Steve Parker is president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Amy List is vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia. All three made public statements about the aircraft's Valiant Shield participation and its Point Mugu test flights.

****What is Valiant Shield?****

Valiant Shield is a biennial U.S. military exercise focused on integrating the joint force. It trains real-world proficiency in detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging targets at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace. The 2026 edition took place in June near the Marianas Island Range Complex in the Western Pacific region.