Boeing, RAAF Achieve CCA Missile Fire from MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Rhea-AI Summary
Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the Royal Australian Air Force achieved a first-of-its-kind autonomous air-to-air weapon engagement on December 9, 2025, when an MQ-28 Ghost Bat CCA, teamed with an E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, destroyed a fighter-class target drone using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The mission used crewed-uncrewed teaming: an E-7A operator assumed custodianship and authorized the MQ-28 to fire after sensor and targeting data were shared across all three platforms. Boeing said the integration and live weapon employment were developed and fielded in under eight months.
Positive
- First autonomous AIM-120 air-to-air engagement by an MQ-28
- Demonstrated crewed-uncrewed teaming across MQ-28, E-7A, and F/A-18F
- Integration delivered live weapon employment in under eight months
Negative
- E-7A custodianship required for safety and engagement authorization
- Mission relied on multi-party coordination across Boeing, RAAF, USAF, and industry
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
BA gained 2.17% with mixed peer moves: LMT +2.62%, NOC +0.83%, HWM +1.02%, TDG +0.20%, while GD slipped -0.57%, pointing to a stock-specific element rather than a broad sector spike.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 03 | Board appointment | Positive | -0.3% | Election of experienced airline executive Bradley D. Tilden to board. |
| Nov 26 | Defense contract win | Positive | +1.1% | Foreign Military Sales deal for <b>96</b> AH-64E Apache helicopters to Poland. |
| Nov 25 | Conference appearance | Neutral | +1.9% | CFO participation in UBS Global Industrials and Transportation Conference. |
| Nov 19 | Aircraft MoU | Positive | -2.1% | flydubai MoU for <b>75</b> 737 MAX plus <b>75</b> options to expand fleet. |
| Nov 18 | Market outlook | Positive | -1.1% | Long-term Middle East fleet growth forecast and delivery expectations to 2044. |
Recent contract and market outlook wins often saw mixed or even negative next-day moves, showing that positive headlines do not consistently translate into immediate gains.
Over the last few weeks, Boeing announced several strategically important developments. A new director joined the board on Dec. 3, 2025, continuing governance refresh. Defense demand remained strong with a nearly $4.7 billion Apache contract for Poland and a sizable 737 MAX MoU with flydubai for 75 firm orders plus 75 options. Boeing also highlighted long-term Middle East fleet growth through 2044. Against this backdrop, the MQ-28 autonomous missile engagement extends its defense and autonomy credentials.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a significant step in Boeing’s defense and autonomy strategy, as the MQ-28 achieved an autonomous air-to-air missile engagement using an AIM-120 AMRAAM. It reinforces Boeing’s role in crewed–uncrewed teaming and mission autonomy spanning fourth, fifth and sixth generation aircraft. In context of recent major defense contracts and long-term market forecasts, key watchpoints remain future deployments, additional test data, and how these capabilities translate into orders and programs.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) shoots down an airborne target
- Groundbreaking mission showcases MQ-28 Ghost Bat's autonomous end-to-end combat capabilities
- Counter-air weapons engagement demonstrates power of crewed-uncrewed teaming between an MQ-28, E-7A and F/A-18F
WOOMERA,
The landmark mission involved an MQ-28 Ghost Bat teaming 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," said Amy List, managing director, Boeing Defence Australia.
"This latest achievement proves the advantage specialized 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:
- The MQ-28, E-7A and F/A-18F 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," said Colin Miller, vice president and general manager for Phantom Works, Boeing Defense, Space & Security's advanced research, development and rapid prototyping division.
"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,
A leading global aerospace company and top
Contact:
Belinda Egan
Boeing Australia Communications
+61 468 537 002
belinda.h.egan@boeing.com
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com
www.boeing.com.au
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SOURCE Boeing
FAQ
What did Boeing and RAAF accomplish with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat on December 9, 2025 (BA)?
How did the MQ-28, E-7A, and F/A-18F coordinate during the December 9, 2025 test (BA)?
What missile was used in the MQ-28 engagement on December 9, 2025 (BA)?
What timeline did Boeing report for developing the MQ-28 weapon integration (BA)?
Does the MQ-28 require crewed oversight during weapons engagements after the December 9, 2025 test (BA)?
Which organizations collaborated on the MQ-28 missile firing test on December 9, 2025 (BA)?
