The surprising first U.S. deployment of a collaborative combat aircraft
At a remote airfield in the northwestern Pacific ocean, the U.S. military is operating a stealthy, uncrewed fighter aircraft for the first time as part of a major field training exercise. Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat is serving as a “loyal wingman” to piloted fighter jets during Valiant Shield 2026, a multinational combat simulation taking place from June 22 to July 1 that tests the Pentagon’s strategy to confront a rising China. The Ghost []

At a remote airfield in the northwestern Pacific ocean, the U.S. military is operating a stealthy, uncrewed fighter aircraft for the first time as part of a major field training exercise. Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat is serving as a “loyal wingman” to piloted fighter jets during Valiant Shield 2026, a multinational combat simulation taking place from June 22 to July 1 that tests the Pentagon’s strategy to confront a rising China. The Ghost []
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