Beyond experimentation: MQ-28 Ghost Bat spreads its wings on the world stage at Valiant Shield 2026

Under the exercise, a crucial milestone in the Boeing unmanned aircraft’s development, the US Department of the Air Force and its partners will analyse the aircraft’s contribution as a force multiplier that extends the reach, awareness and survivability of crewed platforms in contested environments.

During Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, the uncrewed MQ-28 will fly in concert with crewed fighter platforms as an opportunity to refine tactics, techniques and procedures during defensive and offensive counter air missions.

“The future of airpower is a partnership between our greatest assets: our skilled warfighters and the technology that empowers them,” said US Air Force Major Daniel Pesich, Experimental Operations Unit collaborative combat aircraft detachment officer in charge.

“By advancing human-machine teaming, we are increasing our power projection while building a more resilient, capable and lethal joint force.”

STEP CHANGE

Free from its image as an experimental future wonder weapon, the MQ-28 now represents a meaningful step in the evolution of air combat systems.

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Its increasing payload capacity, validated stealth features, demonstrated autonomy and allied interoperability are a clear indication that the platform is maturing.

A significant expansion of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s combat capabilities was recently revealed at the ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany earlier this year.

The upgrades include an enlarged wingspan, 25 per cent larger than the current configuration, that lifts the platform’s maximum take-off weight from 10,000 pounds (approximately 4,500 kilograms) to 12,000 pounds (approximately 5,400kg) and pushes useful load beyond 4,500 pounds (approximately 2,000kg).

The additional capacity allows the aircraft to carry up to an extra 2,000 pounds (approximately 900kg) of fuel, stores or mission payloads, giving operators the ability to trade-off endurance against weapons carriage depending on the mission.

Internally, the Ghost Bat can now be configured to carry two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles or four small diameter bombs, with provision for three external weapons stations if additional firepower is required.

Other capability enhancements include significant software upgrades aligned with the Government Reference Architecture, enabling operators to tailor weapons, payloads, command and control, and mission autonomy to operational requirements. An upgraded modular, missionised nose section provides expanded payload configuration options and supports insertion of third-party capability.

“That additional capacity gives operators freedom to balance payload and endurance to configure for the mission at hand, whether that means carrying extra fuel for longer-range operations, increasing weapons carriage or any combination of both,” MQ-28 global program director Glen Ferguson said.

“Inclusion of features such as BLOS capability are a direct result of our learnings to date, along with feedback from Air Forces as they understand more about the role and integration of CCAs into joint force operations.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s clear that the Ghost Bat is no longer just a prototype aircraft, it’s now an early indicator of how air forces choose to fight in modern warfare.

Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 marks an important step in the MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s evolution from promising concept to emerging operational capability.

The expanded payload options, greater range and demonstrated integration, alongside crewed aircraft, are expected to cement the adoption of a collaborative combat aircraft that can extend reach, improve survivability and add flexibility in contested environments.

The Ghost Bat is no longer just a vision of future warfare; it’s an early indicator of how modern air forces choose to fight in the battles ahead.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.