This article is based on an official press release from Boeing.

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Completes First International Flights in U.S. Airspace

On May 27, 2026, Boeing announced a significant milestone for its uncrewed aviation portfolio. According to an official company press release, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat successfully completed its first international flights in allied airspace. The autonomous combat aircraft, originally developed in Australia, conducted three operational flight tests over the Pacific Ocean at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California.

We at AirPro News recognize this deployment as a critical step in demonstrating the platform’s maturity. The primary objectives of these sorties, as outlined by Boeing, were to validate the aircraft’s autonomous systems, showcase its rapid deployment capabilities, and prove that the uncrewed system can sustain operations seamlessly from an allied military facility outside of its home country.

Operational Milestones at Point Mugu

The recent flight tests at the Point Mugu Sea Range, located at U.S. Naval Base Ventura County, represent a major logistical and operational achievement for the MQ-28 program. By successfully executing three operational sorties in U.S. airspace, Boeing has demonstrated the platform’s ability to integrate into existing allied infrastructure.

Regulatory and Safety Compliance

Operating an autonomous military aircraft in foreign airspace requires stringent oversight. Boeing stated in its release that the company coordinated closely with local authorities to operate under all required airspace, range safety, and Regulations approvals. The Point Mugu Sea Range was selected as a location well-suited for uncrewed aircraft testing, minimizing operational risks while providing a realistic environment for maritime and coastal flight profiles.

The “Loyal Wingman” Concept and Capabilities

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is being developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). According to Boeing, it holds the distinction of being the first Military-Aircraft designed and built in Australia in more than 50 years. The aircraft is categorized as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), designed to act as a “loyal wingman.” It utilizes AI to fly alongside and support crewed combat aircraft, such as the F-35, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and E-7A Wedgetail, providing additional combat mass, surveillance, and survivability in contested environments.

This international deployment follows a major combat milestone achieved in December 2025, when the MQ-28 successfully fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) at a target drone over the Woomera Test Range in Australia. That test, detailed in Boeing’s historical program data, proved the aircraft’s ability to operate within a networked combat architecture.

Aircraft Specifications

To provide context on the aircraft’s physical and performance capabilities, Boeing lists the following specifications for the MQ-28:

• Length: 38 feet (11.7 meters)
• Wingspan: 24 feet (7.3 meters)
• Range: 2,000+ nautical miles
• Speed: Fighter-compatible speeds (up to Mach 0.9)

Furthermore, Boeing notes that the aircraft features an open-system architecture and a modular design, allowing for the quick swap-out of payloads via a “missionized” nose. The Manufacturers projects that the MQ-28 will offer these capabilities at one-tenth of the cost of a traditional crewed platform.

Strategic Implications and U.S. Interest

Boeing has explicitly stated that these U.S.-based tests are intended to showcase the aircraft’s maturity to potential international customers. The successful deployment signals growing global interest in affordable, uncrewed autonomous combat mass.

In the company’s press release, Glen Ferguson, Boeing’s MQ-28 Global Program Director, highlighted the strategic intent behind the California flights:

“The activity at Point Mugu is part of Boeing’s ongoing flight test program to mature the MQ-28 and demonstrate operations from allied locations.”

Ferguson further noted the importance of the testing location for the program’s future:

“MQ-28 is using this location to further prove the maturity of the program and inform future exportability.”

AirPro News analysis

The choice of a U.S. Navy base for these tests is highly notable and speaks to broader geopolitical defense strategies. The U.S. Navy is currently developing its own carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. We note that the groundwork for this deployment has been quietly in motion for months. In December 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Naval Air Station Point Mugu. In a video released by the Pentagon following that visit, an MQ-28 was clearly visible in the background, sparking early industry speculation about the U.S. military’s direct interest in the platform.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy previously deployed a test and evaluation squadron to Australia to work directly on the MQ-28 program and share skills. Operating from a U.S. facility now proves the MQ-28’s ability to integrate into allied infrastructure, a crucial selling point for coalition forces looking to share technology, tactics, and operational bases in the Indo-Pacific region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous, uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed by Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force. It is designed to use AI to fly alongside and support crewed fighter jets.

Where did the MQ-28 complete its first international flights?
According to Boeing, the aircraft completed three operational sorties over the Pacific Ocean at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California.

Why is this deployment significant?
The flights demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to rapidly deploy and operate seamlessly from an allied military facility, proving its maturity and boosting its potential for international export.

Sources: Boeing