MQ-28 Ghost Bat participated in Exercise Valiant Shield alongside F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, HC-130, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G, RC-135, and various other joint and coalition aircraft becoming the first and only collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) deployed to a multinational, joint operational exercise.
During Valiant Shield 2026 in June, the Australian-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat integrated with forces from the U.S. Pacific Command to support the U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit’s CCA integration objectives.
The aircraft participated alongside crewed platforms as they refined tactics, techniques and procedures around the Marianas Island Range Complex in the Western Pacific region. Such exercises are critical in ensuring the interoperability and interchangeability elements of MQ-28 and proving the ability to deploy and integrate into a joint force.