The Boeing Defence Australia-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone is taking part in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, marking the aircraft’s first known participation in a multinational large-force military exercise.
According to a Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) press release, the uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) will operate alongside U.S. and allied forces during the exercise. Photos released by the command, along with additional images circulating online, show an MQ-28 operating from Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands.
🇺🇲🇦🇺🇲🇵 A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron takes off from Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, during exercise Valiant Shield 26, June 21, 2026. Visible in the foreground is a Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) MQ-28 Ghost Bat… pic.twitter.com/FcxWswUtef
— Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) June 24, 2026
The U.S. Air Force is conducting a *first-in-class* Collaborative Combat Aircraft deployment during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, deploying Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat to an austere ACE airfield in the Indo-Pacific.
📍Rota, CNMI
More details to come. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/f8bC5A5MGg
— Carter Johnston (@__CJohnston__) June 24, 2026
“The uncrewed MQ-28 will fly in concert with crewed fighter platforms, providing a critical opportunity for the joint force to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for this next evolution of airpower,” PACAF said. “The Department of the Air Force and its partners will analyze the aircraft’s contribution as a force multiplier that extends the reach, awareness and survivability of crewed platforms in contested environments.”
The MQ-28’s current status within the U.S. military remains unclear. Its deployment during Valiant Shield 2026 follows Boeing’s announcement in May that the aircraft had completed its first flights in the U.S.
During those tests, the uncrewed aircraft conducted three operational missions over the Point Mugu Sea Range at Naval Base Ventura County, California.
MQ-28 just went international! 🌏✈️
Three flights from Point Mugu proved rapid allied deployment, autonomous ops and payload integration — paving the way toward exportable uncrewed capability. pic.twitter.com/TpvvLtfnZ0
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) May 27, 2026
Valiant Shield, a U.S.-led exercise directed by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, began June 23 and runs through July 1 across locations including Japan, Guam, Hawaii and Australia. The exercise brings together allied forces to test advanced capabilities in a multi-domain operational environment.
Australia’s contribution to Valiant Shield also includes a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and about 80 personnel.
