Boeing has validated the stealth performance of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft, according to a press release published by the US aircraft and defense manufacturer on June 1, 2026.
Stealthiness is one of the key features of this new generation unmanned platform, which has been developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to operate alongside manned combat aircraft acting as a force multiplier in a broad range of roles, from surveillance to electronic warfare and combat.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat successfully underwent radar cross section (RCS) testing with the goal of obtaining objective data to assess its survivability in a hostile environment. Information collected during these tests will also guide the further development of the platform.
While understandably no specific data has been revealed about the MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s performance in terms of radar cross section, the reportedly satisfactory results of this test stage point to having a low observability profile.
This achievement adds to other recent firsts for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.
One of the most significant recent milestones was the first live firing of an AMRAAM AIM-120 air-to-air missile in December 2025, teaming up with E-7 + F/A-18F aircraft.
On that occasion, the three aircraft, a MQ-28, an E-7A and a F/A-18F launched from separate locations and, after an aerial rendez-vous , the E-7A operator took custodianship of the MQ-28, which, in turn, engaged and destroyed a fighter-class target drone. During the exercise, the F/A-18F provided sensor coverage, and shared targeting data across all three platforms.
Another more recent milestone was the completion of the platform’s first three test flights outside Australia. These took place in May 2026, at the Point Mugu Sea Range at US Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California.
