MQ-28 Ghost Bat participates in Exercise Valiant Shield, first CCA used in major operation

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft has been used as part of Exercise Valiant Shield.

The inclusion of Ghost Bat in the multinational exercise marks a major point of success for the aircraft as it becomes the first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to be deployed in a joint operation exercise.

The Australian-developed CCA was integrated within US commands that were active in the exercise.

“Having MQ-28 participate in such a significant military training exercise is a first, and this is just the start of demonstrating how advanced human-machine teaming extends the reach and awareness of crewed platforms and enhances joint force operations,” said Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of space and security at Boeing.

“We’ve proven that it’s combat capable and now US 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.”

Specifically, the aircraft was used to train a range of “refined tactics, techniques and procedures” in the West Pacific, alongside partner nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

Boeing emphasised the importance of these major, multinational exercises in ensuring that interoperability and integration with allied defence tactics is maintained.

“MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the most proven, 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 managing director of Boeing Australia.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat utilises open architecture and systems to support sovereign payloads that can be efficiently deployed and integrated into existing operations.

Through the use of Ghost Bat, this demonstrates the readiness of contemporary aircraft technology being used within major defence training events and highlights the value of having an integrated air force that is open and adaptable to new innovations.