Boeing and RAAF execute autonomous weapon engagement
19th January 2026
In a historic achievement, Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully executed a force integrated air-to-air autonomous weapon engagement from an MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
The mission involved an MQ-28 Ghost Bat joining with a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18F Super Hornet to destroy a fighter-class target drone.
“This is the first time an autonomous aircraft has completed an air-to-air weapon engagement with an AIM-120 missile, establishing the MQ-28 as a mature combat capable CCA,” managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, Amy List, said.
“This latest achievement proves the advantage specialised CCA platforms bring to defense forces’ mission effectiveness, delivering increased operational mass and data exchange for informed decision-making while reducing cost and crewed pilot risk.”
Key mission highlights included the MQ-28, E-7A and F/A-18F being launched from separate locations. Once airborne, an E-7A operator took custodianship of the MQ-28 ensuring safety and engagement oversight. The F/A-18F teamed with the MQ-28 in combat formation to provide sensor coverage, and once the Super Hornet identified and tracked the target, targeting data was shared across all three platforms. The MQ-28 adjusted its position and received authorization from the E-7A to engage and successfully destroy the target using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile.
“This exercise demonstrates the maturity and sophistication of Boeing’s mission autonomy solution which is built on open standards and government architectures and is capable of integrating with fourth, fifth and sixth generation aircraft,” vice president and general manager for Phantom Works, Boeing Defense, Space and Security’s advanced research, development and rapid prototyping division, Colin Miller, said.
“It is a true example of speed-to-capability. The team implemented open architectures and an advanced digital ecosystem to develop the necessary hardware, software, and mission systems required to successfully integrate, test and employ the weapon in a live, operationally relevant scenario in under eight months.”
The exercise was a collaborative effort between Boeing, the RAAF, U.S. Air Force and industry partners.
The test came soon after the Australian Government awarded Boeing Defence Australia an AUD$754 million contract to deliver, develop and support a third tranche of MQ-28 Ghost Bats over the next three years.
Under the AIR6015 Autonomous Collaborative Platforms – Air Program, Boeing will deliver additional Block 2 and Block 3 aircraft to support the development of an operational capability by 2028. It will also progress delivery of the capability system and supporting infrastructure for the Royal Australian Air Force to supplement existing crewed fleet with integrated Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The Program of Record follows the completion of a successful development program, with eight MQ-28 Ghost Bats and multiple highly capable mission payload modules produced, and a further three Block 2 in final production or testing phases.
MQ-28 was a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the RAAF, Defence Science and Technology Group and Boeing Australia. The Australian Government has invested over AUD$1 billion to date, with 70 per cent of expenditure contributed to the 200-plus Australian industry team.