MQ-28 Ghost Bat Makes Multinational Debut: The Loyal Wingman in Action
A concrete step has been taken in manned-unmanned air combat. According to the US Air Force, the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat took part for the first time in a multinational large-force exercise at Valiant Shield 2026. The aircraft deployed to Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands and flew alongside crewed fighters.
The Ghost Bat is one of the pioneering examples of the ‘loyal wingman’ concept. This AI-enabled uncrewed aircraft is designed to work not alone but alongside a crewed fighter, taking on risky tasks. At Valiant Shield 2026 the aircraft was tested in defensive and offensive counter-air missions and took part in a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) proof-of-concept for uncrewed combat aircraft.
What Is a Loyal Wingman?
A ‘loyal wingman’ is an uncrewed combat aircraft concept that flies alongside a crewed fighter, operating under its control and command. The aim is to keep the pilot away from the riskiest tasks while the uncrewed aircraft takes on dangerous jobs such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy or strike. This both reduces the risk of losing a pilot and multiplies the reach of a crewed aircraft.
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is one of the pioneering examples of this class, developed by Boeing with Australia. With its AI-enabled autonomous capability, it can conduct manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with crewed aircraft. Its flying alongside fighters such as the F-15EX at Valiant Shield shows the concept moving from the experimental stage to operational integration.
Valiant Shield 2026 and the Meaning of the Debut
Valiant Shield is one of the US military’s largest Pacific exercises; this year’s edition spanned the Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Japan and Australia. Forces from the US, Australia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand operated under multi-domain conditions. The exercise aims to test the Pentagon’s strategy against China’s rise.
The Ghost Bat’s debut in this exercise symbolizes the loyal wingman concept moving from the ‘experimental’ to the ‘operational’ stage. The aircraft flying with allied forces in real mission scenarios shows that uncrewed combat aircraft are now positioned as part of large-scale air operations.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat |
| Class | Uncrewed combat aircraft (loyal wingman / CCA) |
| Developer | Boeing + Australia |
| Exercise | Valiant Shield 2026 |
| Date | 22 June-1 July 2026 |
| Deployment | Rota, Northern Mariana Islands |
| Role | Loyal wingman to crewed aircraft |
| Participants | US, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand |
Manned-Unmanned Teaming and Future Air Power
Loyal wingman aircraft are at the center of future air power doctrine. A crewed fighter managing several uncrewed aircraft alongside it boosts an air force’s advantage in both numbers and effect. Because uncrewed aircraft are relatively cheap and pilotless, they can be used as ‘expendable’ elements in the riskiest missions.
This concept has turned into a global race. The US Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, Europe’s combat cloud projects and similar efforts in Asia all aim at the same goal: air power in which crewed and uncrewed aircraft fight together. The MQ-28’s multinational debut shows this race accelerating.
For Türkiye: Kızılelma and ANKA-3
The loyal wingman and uncrewed combat aircraft are among the areas where Türkiye is most ambitious. Baykar’s jet-powered Bayraktar Kızılelma is a low-observable combat drone with an internal weapons bay, planned to conduct manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with the indigenous fighter KAAN. Turkish Aerospace’s ANKA-3 is a low-observable strike drone with a flying-wing design.
Türkiye is one of only a few countries in this segment. It is taking the know-how it built in reconnaissance/strike drones (TB2, AKINCI) to the level of a jet-powered combat drone. As loyal wingman concepts such as the MQ-28 enter service, Kızılelma and ANKA-3 keep Türkiye in this race; moreover, these platforms are largely indigenously developed.
The decisive factor will be how well these uncrewed aircraft integrate with crewed platforms. Türkiye is building its own manned-unmanned team with the KAAN-Kızılelma pair; the Kızılelma, able to carry indigenous missiles such as the BOZDOĞAN/GÖKDOĞAN in its internal bay, sits at the center of this vision. The MQ-28’s multinational debut is a reminder that Türkiye is moving down the same path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
What is Valiant Shield 2026?
Why is the debut important?
Does Türkiye have an equivalent?
Conclusion
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s multinational debut shows the loyal wingman concept has become part of large-scale air operations. Türkiye, for its part, is developing its own indigenous solutions with Kızılelma and ANKA-3; the manned-unmanned team to be built with KAAN sits at the center of the country’s future air power.
