Boeing Debuts MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone in Europe as UK Advances Collaborative Combat Aircraft Plans
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Boeing has displayed its MQ,28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft in Europe for the first time at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. The debut underscores growing European interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed to operate alongside next-generation fighter jets.
Exhibited on Boeing’s stand alongside MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the MQ,28 Ghost Bat highlights the company’s progress in autonomous air combat capabilities. The appearance comes as multiple European nations accelerate investment in Collaborative Combat Aircraft to enhance combat mass, survivability, and mission flexibility for future air forces.Related News: U.S. Tests Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Loyal Wingman With F-35 and F-15EX Fighters in Indo-Pacific Drill
Boeing debuts the MQ,28 Ghost Bat in Europe at Farnborough 2026 as nations expand Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under the Airpower Teaming System program, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft while performing missions including intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, escort and strike. The aircraft is the first military aircraft designed and developed in Australia in several decades and is built around a modular architecture that allows different mission payloads to be integrated according to operational requirements.
The MQ-28 is capable of operating at altitudes of approximately 12,000 meters, reaching speeds of up to Mach 0.9 and achieving a range of around 3,700 kilometers. The latest variants incorporate an internal weapons bay capable of carrying two missiles in the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Meteor class, or up to four Small Diameter Bombs. An additional payload capacity of approximately 900 kilograms enables the integration of extra fuel or mission-specific equipment for different operational profiles.
The Ghost Bat’s appearance at Farnborough follows several milestones in its operational development. In December 2025, the aircraft successfully conducted a live firing of an AIM-120 AMRAAM during trials in Australia. The demonstration was carried out in cooperation with an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft and an F/A-18 Super Hornet, which provided the targeting data required for the engagement. In its current configuration, the MQ-28 does not incorporate an onboard fire-control radar capable of independently detecting, tracking, and engaging airborne targets. Consistent with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft concept, it relies on targeting information provided by crewed aircraft or other networked sensors before employing its weapons.
Boeing also emphasizes the speed with which this capability was developed. According to Steve Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, integration of the AIM-120 AMRAAM onto the MQ-28 was completed in approximately seven months through the platform’s open architecture, a timeline the company says is shorter than those typically associated with comparable integration efforts. This architecture is intended to simplify the incorporation of additional weapons, sensors, and mission payloads according to customer requirements.
This design philosophy is reflected in the aircraft’s presentation at Farnborough, where the MQ-28 is displayed alongside MBDA’s Meteor missile. While neither Boeing nor MBDA has announced the operational integration of Meteor onto the Ghost Bat, the display illustrates the flexibility of the aircraft’s open architecture and its potential to accommodate weapons already fielded by several European air forces. Meteor is currently operated on the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, giving the display particular relevance for the European market.
The MQ-28’s first European appearance also reflects Boeing’s intention to promote the platform to potential European customers, particularly the United Kingdom. The airshow takes place only weeks after the UK government published its Defence Investment Plan, which allocates an initial £300 million to begin developing a national Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability. Although no request for proposals has yet been issued, the future program is expected to become one of Europe’s most significant collaborative combat aircraft opportunities.
During a media briefing held before the opening of the airshow, Thom Breckenridge, Managing Director of Boeing Defence UK, said the company sees “definite applicability” for the MQ-28 within the UK Armed Forces. His comments come as the United Kingdom begins work on a national Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability, although no formal request for proposals has yet been issued. Breckenridge highlighted the platform’s maturity relative to competing concepts and said Boeing Defence UK could support the integration of UK-specific payloads, sustainment, training, maintenance and the involvement of British suppliers should the aircraft be selected for a future programme.
Development of the MQ-28 began in 2019, and the aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2021 at RAAF Base Woomera. By 2025, it had exceeded 100 test flights while progressively expanding its integration with other airborne platforms. Over the past year, it has been controlled by an E-7A Wedgetail, conducted an AIM-120 live-fire event and operated alongside an F/A-18 Super Hornet. In June 2026, the aircraft also participated in Exercise Valiant Shield together with platforms including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G and RC-135. Boeing describes this as the first participation of a collaborative combat aircraft in a multinational operational exercise. The company has also unveiled a development roadmap featuring a 25% larger wing, additional internal weapon stations and beyond-line-of-sight communications, with these enhancements planned through successive spiral upgrades.
Australia remains the MQ-28’s only confirmed customer, with 18 aircraft funded or contracted across multiple development and production phases. Japan is now engaged in collaborative combat aircraft activities involving the Ghost Bat, while Australia and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand cooperation on testing and demonstration activities. In the United States, the U.S. Air Force has selected collaborative combat aircraft developed by General Atomics and Anduril for its own CCA program.
By bringing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Europe for the first time, Boeing is not only displaying an uncrewed combat aircraft but also positioning a platform that has already reached an advanced stage of development for emerging collaborative combat aircraft requirements. As European countries refine their CCA strategies, the company is highlighting the Ghost Bat’s open architecture, modular design and demonstrated integration with crewed platforms. Although Australia remains the only operator to date, growing interest in collaborative combat aircraft across Europe and the Indo-Pacific could expand opportunities for this category of systems in the coming years.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition GroupErwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Boeing has displayed its MQ,28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft in Europe for the first time at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. The debut underscores growing European interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed to operate alongside next-generation fighter jets.
Exhibited on Boeing’s stand alongside MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the MQ,28 Ghost Bat highlights the company’s progress in autonomous air combat capabilities. The appearance comes as multiple European nations accelerate investment in Collaborative Combat Aircraft to enhance combat mass, survivability, and mission flexibility for future air forces.
Related News: U.S. Tests Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Loyal Wingman With F-35 and F-15EX Fighters in Indo-Pacific Drill
Boeing debuts the MQ,28 Ghost Bat in Europe at Farnborough 2026 as nations expand Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under the Airpower Teaming System program, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft while performing missions including intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, escort and strike. The aircraft is the first military aircraft designed and developed in Australia in several decades and is built around a modular architecture that allows different mission payloads to be integrated according to operational requirements.
The MQ-28 is capable of operating at altitudes of approximately 12,000 meters, reaching speeds of up to Mach 0.9 and achieving a range of around 3,700 kilometers. The latest variants incorporate an internal weapons bay capable of carrying two missiles in the AIM-120 AMRAAM or Meteor class, or up to four Small Diameter Bombs. An additional payload capacity of approximately 900 kilograms enables the integration of extra fuel or mission-specific equipment for different operational profiles.
The Ghost Bat’s appearance at Farnborough follows several milestones in its operational development. In December 2025, the aircraft successfully conducted a live firing of an AIM-120 AMRAAM during trials in Australia. The demonstration was carried out in cooperation with an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft and an F/A-18 Super Hornet, which provided the targeting data required for the engagement. In its current configuration, the MQ-28 does not incorporate an onboard fire-control radar capable of independently detecting, tracking, and engaging airborne targets. Consistent with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft concept, it relies on targeting information provided by crewed aircraft or other networked sensors before employing its weapons.
Boeing also emphasizes the speed with which this capability was developed. According to Steve Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, integration of the AIM-120 AMRAAM onto the MQ-28 was completed in approximately seven months through the platform’s open architecture, a timeline the company says is shorter than those typically associated with comparable integration efforts. This architecture is intended to simplify the incorporation of additional weapons, sensors, and mission payloads according to customer requirements.
This design philosophy is reflected in the aircraft’s presentation at Farnborough, where the MQ-28 is displayed alongside MBDA’s Meteor missile. While neither Boeing nor MBDA has announced the operational integration of Meteor onto the Ghost Bat, the display illustrates the flexibility of the aircraft’s open architecture and its potential to accommodate weapons already fielded by several European air forces. Meteor is currently operated on the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, giving the display particular relevance for the European market.
The MQ-28’s first European appearance also reflects Boeing’s intention to promote the platform to potential European customers, particularly the United Kingdom. The airshow takes place only weeks after the UK government published its Defence Investment Plan, which allocates an initial £300 million to begin developing a national Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability. Although no request for proposals has yet been issued, the future program is expected to become one of Europe’s most significant collaborative combat aircraft opportunities.
During a media briefing held before the opening of the airshow, Thom Breckenridge, Managing Director of Boeing Defence UK, said the company sees “definite applicability” for the MQ-28 within the UK Armed Forces. His comments come as the United Kingdom begins work on a national Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability, although no formal request for proposals has yet been issued. Breckenridge highlighted the platform’s maturity relative to competing concepts and said Boeing Defence UK could support the integration of UK-specific payloads, sustainment, training, maintenance and the involvement of British suppliers should the aircraft be selected for a future programme.
Development of the MQ-28 began in 2019, and the aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2021 at RAAF Base Woomera. By 2025, it had exceeded 100 test flights while progressively expanding its integration with other airborne platforms. Over the past year, it has been controlled by an E-7A Wedgetail, conducted an AIM-120 live-fire event and operated alongside an F/A-18 Super Hornet. In June 2026, the aircraft also participated in Exercise Valiant Shield together with platforms including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G and RC-135. Boeing describes this as the first participation of a collaborative combat aircraft in a multinational operational exercise. The company has also unveiled a development roadmap featuring a 25% larger wing, additional internal weapon stations and beyond-line-of-sight communications, with these enhancements planned through successive spiral upgrades.
Australia remains the MQ-28’s only confirmed customer, with 18 aircraft funded or contracted across multiple development and production phases. Japan is now engaged in collaborative combat aircraft activities involving the Ghost Bat, while Australia and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand cooperation on testing and demonstration activities. In the United States, the U.S. Air Force has selected collaborative combat aircraft developed by General Atomics and Anduril for its own CCA program.
By bringing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Europe for the first time, Boeing is not only displaying an uncrewed combat aircraft but also positioning a platform that has already reached an advanced stage of development for emerging collaborative combat aircraft requirements. As European countries refine their CCA strategies, the company is highlighting the Ghost Bat’s open architecture, modular design and demonstrated integration with crewed platforms. Although Australia remains the only operator to date, growing interest in collaborative combat aircraft across Europe and the Indo-Pacific could expand opportunities for this category of systems in the coming years.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
