U.S. MQ-28A Ghost Bat Stealth Drone Tests Syracuse Electronic Warfare System in Live Fire
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U.S. Company Syracuse confirmed on February 18, 2026, that its Generic Multi-Function Array (GMFA) system was integrated into the MQ-28A Ghost Bat during a live fire demonstration. The test advances U.S. efforts to field modular electronic warfare payloads on autonomous aircraft designed for operations in contested environments.
According to information released by the U.S. Company Syracuse on February 18, 2026, the company’s Generic Multi-Function Array (GMFA) system was featured during a live fire demonstration involving the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The event moved the modular electronic warfare payload from laboratory validation into an operational setting that combined spectrum contestation with kinetic activity. By pairing active electronic effects with live munitions employment, the demonstration provided a more realistic test of how autonomous platforms can sense, disrupt, and survive in contested airspace. The MQ-28A, developed as a loyal wingman platform, is intended to operate alongside crewed aircraft in high-threat environments. The trial underscores growing U.S. emphasis on scalable, reconfigurable electronic warfare systems that can be rapidly integrated across unmanned fleets.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft developed by Boeing to operate alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35 and future NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) platforms. Designed with a modular nose section for ISR, electronic warfare, or strike payloads, the stealthy unmanned aircraft extends range, enhances survivability, and enables distributed operations in contested airspace. (Picture source: Boeing)
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a jet-powered, stealth-shaped uncrewed combat aircraft originally developed by Boeing Australia under the Loyal Wingman program and later integrated into broader U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiatives. Measuring approximately 11.7 meters in length and capable of exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, the aircraft is designed to fly alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35 and future Next Generation Air Dominance platforms. Its modular nose section allows rapid payload swaps, enabling missions that range from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to electronic warfare and strike support. The aircraft’s autonomy core enables it to execute complex tasks while remaining under human command and control, positioning it as a force multiplier rather than a remotely piloted drone.
During the recent live fire demonstration, Syracuse’s GMFA (Generic Multi-Function Array), also designated as Payload B within the integration framework, operated as a multi-function electronic warfare suite embedded within the MQ-28A architecture. Unlike legacy systems that separate radar warning, electronic support, jamming, and communications functions into discrete subsystems, GMFA consolidates these capabilities into a compact electronically scanned array. This architecture enables rapid transitions between sensing and electronic attack modes, a feature increasingly vital in environments where threats shift within seconds.
The live-fire component is particularly important from a systems-integration perspective. Conducting electronic warfare operations in proximity to active weapons employment requires high levels of electromagnetic compatibility, signal discrimination accuracy, and processing speed. The GMFA’s multi-function processor reportedly handled real-time signal analysis and adaptive mission execution, converting raw spectral data into actionable responses without requiring continuous human input. Such autonomy aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s concept of CCAs as semi-independent nodes capable of sensing and responding at machine speed.
Technically, the GMFA’s strength lies in its scalable and software-driven architecture. By reducing size, weight, and power requirements, the system supports platforms with tightly constrained internal volume and energy margins. For the MQ-28A, which balances endurance, low observability, and modular payload design, minimizing SWaP demands directly contributes to survivability and operational flexibility. The ability to upgrade capability through software revisions rather than hardware replacement also shortens modernization cycles, a growing priority within Pentagon acquisition strategy.
The broader operational significance lies in the convergence of electronic warfare and collaborative autonomy. CCAs are expected to operate forward of crewed aircraft, probing adversary air defenses, gathering electronic intelligence, and, when necessary, delivering disruptive effects. A multi-function array, such as GMFA, enables a single unmanned aircraft to detect hostile emitters, classify them, and apply tailored electronic attack measures while remaining networked with other assets across domains. This multi-role flexibility is essential in scenarios where distributed formations must adapt in real time to avoid detection and counter advanced integrated air defense systems.
From Army Recognition’s defense analysis team’s perspective, this demonstration illustrates a decisive evolution in how electronic warfare is being operationalized. The emphasis is no longer on standalone jamming pods bolted onto aircraft for specific missions. Instead, electronic warfare is becoming an organic, software-defined layer embedded directly into the architecture of autonomous combat systems. That shift suggests future air campaigns will hinge less on individual platform performance and more on how effectively networks of crewed and uncrewed assets coordinate spectrum dominance alongside kinetic effects.
The implications extend beyond air operations. SRC has indicated that the GMFA concept is scalable across air, sea, land, and space platforms. In practical terms, similar arrays could support ground maneuver units with expeditionary electronic attack, enhance naval vessels conducting distributed maritime operations, or contribute to space-based sensing architectures that monitor contested electromagnetic activity from orbit. Such cross-domain adaptability aligns closely with the Joint All-Domain Command and Control framework pursued by the Department of Defense.
As the U.S. Air Force advances procurement planning for early Collaborative Combat Aircraft increments, payload maturity and integration readiness will be central evaluation factors. The successful live-fire engagement of a modular electronic warfare array strengthens the case for embedding advanced spectrum capabilities directly into baseline CCA configurations. In an era defined by peer competition and dense electromagnetic threat environments, survivability will depend not only on stealth and speed but on the capacity to sense, decide, and act across the spectrum faster than the adversary.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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U.S. Company Syracuse confirmed on February 18, 2026, that its Generic Multi-Function Array (GMFA) system was integrated into the MQ-28A Ghost Bat during a live fire demonstration. The test advances U.S. efforts to field modular electronic warfare payloads on autonomous aircraft designed for operations in contested environments.
According to information released by the U.S. Company Syracuse on February 18, 2026, the company’s Generic Multi-Function Array (GMFA) system was featured during a live fire demonstration involving the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The event moved the modular electronic warfare payload from laboratory validation into an operational setting that combined spectrum contestation with kinetic activity. By pairing active electronic effects with live munitions employment, the demonstration provided a more realistic test of how autonomous platforms can sense, disrupt, and survive in contested airspace. The MQ-28A, developed as a loyal wingman platform, is intended to operate alongside crewed aircraft in high-threat environments. The trial underscores growing U.S. emphasis on scalable, reconfigurable electronic warfare systems that can be rapidly integrated across unmanned fleets.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft developed by Boeing to operate alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35 and future NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) platforms. Designed with a modular nose section for ISR, electronic warfare, or strike payloads, the stealthy unmanned aircraft extends range, enhances survivability, and enables distributed operations in contested airspace. (Picture source: Boeing)
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a jet-powered, stealth-shaped uncrewed combat aircraft originally developed by Boeing Australia under the Loyal Wingman program and later integrated into broader U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiatives. Measuring approximately 11.7 meters in length and capable of exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, the aircraft is designed to fly alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35 and future Next Generation Air Dominance platforms. Its modular nose section allows rapid payload swaps, enabling missions that range from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to electronic warfare and strike support. The aircraft’s autonomy core enables it to execute complex tasks while remaining under human command and control, positioning it as a force multiplier rather than a remotely piloted drone.
During the recent live fire demonstration, Syracuse’s GMFA (Generic Multi-Function Array), also designated as Payload B within the integration framework, operated as a multi-function electronic warfare suite embedded within the MQ-28A architecture. Unlike legacy systems that separate radar warning, electronic support, jamming, and communications functions into discrete subsystems, GMFA consolidates these capabilities into a compact electronically scanned array. This architecture enables rapid transitions between sensing and electronic attack modes, a feature increasingly vital in environments where threats shift within seconds.
The live-fire component is particularly important from a systems-integration perspective. Conducting electronic warfare operations in proximity to active weapons employment requires high levels of electromagnetic compatibility, signal discrimination accuracy, and processing speed. The GMFA’s multi-function processor reportedly handled real-time signal analysis and adaptive mission execution, converting raw spectral data into actionable responses without requiring continuous human input. Such autonomy aligns with the U.S. Air Force’s concept of CCAs as semi-independent nodes capable of sensing and responding at machine speed.
Technically, the GMFA’s strength lies in its scalable and software-driven architecture. By reducing size, weight, and power requirements, the system supports platforms with tightly constrained internal volume and energy margins. For the MQ-28A, which balances endurance, low observability, and modular payload design, minimizing SWaP demands directly contributes to survivability and operational flexibility. The ability to upgrade capability through software revisions rather than hardware replacement also shortens modernization cycles, a growing priority within Pentagon acquisition strategy.
The broader operational significance lies in the convergence of electronic warfare and collaborative autonomy. CCAs are expected to operate forward of crewed aircraft, probing adversary air defenses, gathering electronic intelligence, and, when necessary, delivering disruptive effects. A multi-function array, such as GMFA, enables a single unmanned aircraft to detect hostile emitters, classify them, and apply tailored electronic attack measures while remaining networked with other assets across domains. This multi-role flexibility is essential in scenarios where distributed formations must adapt in real time to avoid detection and counter advanced integrated air defense systems.
From Army Recognition’s defense analysis team’s perspective, this demonstration illustrates a decisive evolution in how electronic warfare is being operationalized. The emphasis is no longer on standalone jamming pods bolted onto aircraft for specific missions. Instead, electronic warfare is becoming an organic, software-defined layer embedded directly into the architecture of autonomous combat systems. That shift suggests future air campaigns will hinge less on individual platform performance and more on how effectively networks of crewed and uncrewed assets coordinate spectrum dominance alongside kinetic effects.
The implications extend beyond air operations. SRC has indicated that the GMFA concept is scalable across air, sea, land, and space platforms. In practical terms, similar arrays could support ground maneuver units with expeditionary electronic attack, enhance naval vessels conducting distributed maritime operations, or contribute to space-based sensing architectures that monitor contested electromagnetic activity from orbit. Such cross-domain adaptability aligns closely with the Joint All-Domain Command and Control framework pursued by the Department of Defense.
As the U.S. Air Force advances procurement planning for early Collaborative Combat Aircraft increments, payload maturity and integration readiness will be central evaluation factors. The successful live-fire engagement of a modular electronic warfare array strengthens the case for embedding advanced spectrum capabilities directly into baseline CCA configurations. In an era defined by peer competition and dense electromagnetic threat environments, survivability will depend not only on stealth and speed but on the capacity to sense, decide, and act across the spectrum faster than the adversary.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
