United States and Australia to Review MQ-28 Ghost Bat Command and Control Capabilities
The MQ-28A Ghost, a cooperative combat aircraft developed by Australia, may be commanded in the future by U.S. Air Force pilots or operators. However, this does not mean that the U.S. military will directly remotely control the MQ-28. Rather, it suggests a concept of interoperability where both countries can share mission commands and control authority.
Major General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, stated at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies forum in July 2026 that the Royal Australian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force could review operator cooperation, command and control structures, authority, and actual operational methods. According to a TWZ report, Major General Schneider assessed that information exchange between the testing and development organizations of the two countries is proceeding closely.
Valiant Shield 2026: Integrated flight operations with U.S. military forces
The MQ-28 participated in the multinational joint exercise Valiant Shield 2026, which took place in the western Pacific in June 2026. According to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Air Force, a test aircraft, which is closer to the production model, was deployed to Rota, Northern Mariana Islands, where it conducted operational procedures alongside U.S. and allied manned aircraft.
Boeing announced that the MQ-28 is designed to operate in conjunction with a variety of aircraft, including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, EA-18G, E-3, E-2D, and RC-135. Boeing stated that this is the first instance of a collaborative combat aircraft being integrated into a multinational joint operation training exercise.
The purpose of the training was not simply a formation flight, but to validate the deployment, logistical support, agile combat operations, and mixed manned-unmanned operations procedures of the MQ-28. The U.S. Air Force’s experimental unit also participated in the training, securing data to be applied to its own cooperative combat aircraft program.
Operation method closer to mission commands than direct control
The operational concept of the MQ-28 differs from that of existing remotely piloted unmanned aircraft. Instead of the pilot continuously controlling the entire flight process, a human operator defines the mission and operational parameters, and the aircraft then uses its autonomous systems to execute the detailed flight plan.
The U.S. Pacific Air Force describes cooperative combat aircraft as semi-autonomous aircraft operated under human supervision. It particularly emphasizes the principle that humans are involved in key decisions, including the use of weapons.
Boeing announced in 2024 that Lieutenant Colonel Phil Parsons of the Royal Australian Air Force completed MQ-28 training and became the first operator not affiliated with the company. This operator oversees ground preparation, takeoff, and landing, and during mission phases, the crew of an E-7A Wedgetail or an F-35A, or an F/A-18F can assign missions to the MQ-28.
In 2025, tests were conducted involving the control of two MQ-28 aircraft in flight from an E-7A Wedgetail, along with a digital testbed. Consequently, if future U.S. military operators control the MQ-28, it is likely that they will primarily issue mission commands such as sensor operation, reconnaissance, patrol, and target engagement, rather than directly controlling the aircraft’s flight using a control stick.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat: Performance and Mission Expandability
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is an unmanned cooperative combat aircraft jointly developed by Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force. It successfully completed its first flight in 2021, and is considered the first military aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years.
According to data released by Boeing, the MQ-28 lists a range of over 2,000 nautical miles, a maximum speed of Mach 0.9, and a flight altitude of over 40,000 feet as its target performance specifications. Its maximum takeoff weight is approximately 12,000 pounds.
The flight control unit is designed with a modular structure that allows for the replacement of sensors and payloads depending on the mission requirements. Its open system architecture also facilitates the integration of sensors, communication equipment, and mission software by each country.
The MQ-28 was developed to perform various missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, tactical early warning, and support for fighter aircraft. In December 2025, during tests conducted in conjunction with the E-7A Wedgetail and the F/A-18F Super Hornet, it demonstrated the possibility of weapon operation by engaging aerial targets with the AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile.
Tasks required for the integration of the U.S. and Australian Air Forces
In order for U.S. pilots or operators to be assigned missions using the Australian MQ-28, the data links and command and control systems of both countries must be connected. Communication security, friend-or-foe identification, connectivity in electronic warfare environments, and cyber protection must also be verified.
Control authority and rules of engagement are also key issues. Detailed criteria are needed to determine which nation’s commander will approve missions and authorize the use of weapons, and what procedures aircraft will follow when communication is lost.
The currently disclosed plan does not state that the United States will permanently retain control over the Australian MQ-28. The core of the plan is a phased expansion of interoperability, aiming to establish a common command and control structure that will allow both countries to operate each other’s cooperative combat aircraft when necessary.
A testing ground for integrated manned and unmanned power in the Indo-Pacific region
The participation of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat in the Valiant Shield exercise and subsequent statements from the U.S. Pacific Air Force indicate the potential for U.S.-Australian air force cooperation to advance beyond interoperability between aircraft types to the sharing of operational authority. In the Indo-Pacific region, where long-range operations are common, the ability to jointly utilize the unmanned assets of allied nations can contribute to force dispersal and improved survivability.
However, the U.S. operator’s control of the MQ-28 is not yet a finalized operational system, but rather a subject for future consideration. The actual adoption will likely be determined based on additional flight tests, the development of a common control architecture, and the results of adjustments to the authority of the governments of both countries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did a U.S. pilot actually operate the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
Currently available information does not confirm that a U.S. pilot directly remotely controlled the flight of the MQ-28. The statement made by the U.S. Pacific Air Force indicates that they are considering a command and control structure that would allow U.S. operators to issue mission commands to the Australian MQ-28 in the future.
Is the MQ-28 a fully autonomous unmanned combat aircraft?
The MQ-28 is a cooperative combat aircraft that utilizes autonomous systems but operates under the supervision of a human operator. A human operator assigns the mission and makes key decisions, while the aircraft performs detailed flight maneuvers and mission tasks within a designated range.
What is the range of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
Boeing has stated that the aircraft’s range is over 2,000 nautical miles. Its maximum speed is Mach 0.9, and its operating altitude is above 40,000 feet.
Which manned aircraft will the MQ-28 operate with?
The Royal Australian Air Force has been conducting tests involving the E-7A Wedgetail, F-35A, and F/A-18F Super Hornet. During Valiant Shield 2026, training exercises were conducted with a variety of air assets, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX and F-35 series aircraft.
Can the MQ-28 be equipped with air-to-air missiles?
The MQ-28 successfully engaged an aerial target using an AIM-120 air-to-air missile in 2025. However, the actual weapon configuration and engagement authority during operational deployment will be determined by the Australian government and the Air Force’s operational policies.
