U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander Praises Australia's Ghost Bat Drone Program After Valiant Shield Exercise

The commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), General Kevin Schneider, has expressed strong approval for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone program following its successful integration into the recent multinational exercise, Valiant Shield 26. The event, which took place in the Pacific and was led by the United States, involved participation from Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.

During this major international military exercise, a production representative MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone conducted operations alongside manned aircraft, demonstrating its capabilities as part of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) initiatives. The Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing Defence Australia, flew alongside a U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II in the Northern Mariana Islands during “agile combat employment” maneuvers.

The Ghost Bat boasts an impressive range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and can achieve speeds up to Mach 0.9, making it highly versatile for both defensive and offensive missions. According to RAAF officials, the drone was designed to function as a loyal wingman for manned aircraft while also having the capacity to operate independently.

General Schneider highlighted his satisfaction with the Ghost Bat program's progress during a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Monday. He emphasized that the integration of the Ghost Bat into Valiant Shield provided valuable insights and set an example for other nations pursuing similar CCA programs.

The U.S. Air Force is also actively developing its own CCA initiatives, with recent announcements indicating significant advancements in their projects. Last month, Anduril and General Atomics were awarded production contracts for Increment 1 of the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program, while Anduril, Shield AI, and Collins Aerospace are advancing into the next phase of mission autonomy software development.

The successful live-fire test conducted by Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury drone, which launched an AIM-120 missile at a digital target, underscores the rapid progress being made in this field. General Schneider noted that he is receiving continuous updates from RAAF leadership regarding the Ghost Bat program and its integration capabilities.

The cross-pollination of information between test communities during Valiant Shield has been particularly beneficial for both U.S. and Australian forces. The experimental operations squadron involved in testing U.S. Air Force CCA platforms worked closely with their counterparts from Australia, facilitating a robust exchange of knowledge and operational insights.

As the Ghost Bat program continues to evolve, there is anticipation that it will pave the way for enhanced cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), PACAF, and other allied air forces in terms of command-and-control architectures and operational protocols. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern military operations and sets a precedent for future joint exercises and deployments.

The successful integration of the Ghost Bat into Valiant Shield marks a significant milestone not only for Australia but also for international defense cooperation, underscoring the increasing reliance on advanced drone technology to enhance air combat capabilities.