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

Argus Dec 9 session

-2.86% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – BA

On Dec 9, the day this news came out, BA closed 2.86% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Dec 9 session.

Key Figures

AIM-120 missile: AIM-120 Development timeline: under eight months Aircraft generations: fourth, fifth and sixth generation +1 more

AIM-120 missile

AIM-120

Missile type used in the autonomous air-to-air engagement

Development timeline

under eight months

Time to integrate, test and employ the weapon in live scenario

Aircraft generations

fourth, fifth and sixth generation

Mission autonomy solution integration across aircraft generations

Countries served

more than 150 countries

Global customer footprint for Boeing products and services

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 03

5 events

1. Dec 03

   Board appointment

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Election of experienced airline executive Bradley D. Tilden to board.

2. Nov 26

   Defense contract win

   24h Move

   +1.1%

   Foreign Military Sales deal for 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters to Poland.

3. Nov 25

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   +1.9%

   CFO participation in UBS Global Industrials and Transportation Conference.

4. Nov 19

   Aircraft MoU

   24h Move

   -2.1%

   flydubai MoU for 75 737 MAX plus 75 options to expand fleet.

5. Nov 18

   Market outlook

   24h Move

   -1.1%

   Long-term Middle East fleet growth forecast and delivery expectations to 2044.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

collaborative combat aircraft, air-to-air weapon engagement, autonomous, aim-120 amraam, +1 more

5 terms

collaborative combat aircraft technical

"In a historic achievement, Boeing ... from an MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft."

A collaborative combat aircraft is a military aircraft designed to operate and share information seamlessly with other manned and unmanned systems, acting like a lead driver that coordinates a convoy of drones, sensors and support platforms. For investors, it matters because these programs often involve large, long-term government contracts, complex technology partnerships and regulatory hurdles, so progress or setbacks can substantially affect defense contractors' revenues and stock value.

air-to-air weapon engagement technical

"first time an autonomous aircraft has completed an air-to-air weapon engagement"

An air-to-air weapon engagement is a combat event in which weapons launched from one aircraft—such as missiles or guns—are used to intercept, disable, or destroy another aircraft. For investors, these engagements signal demand for aircraft, weapons, sensors and training systems and can influence defense spending, contractor revenues and geopolitical risk exposure, much like a high-profile product test or incident can affect a manufacturer's sales and stock value.

autonomous technical

"air-to-air autonomous weapon engagement from an MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft"

Autonomous describes machines, vehicles, or systems that can perform tasks and make decisions on their own using sensors, software, and computing power, with little or no human guidance. For investors, autonomy matters because it can reduce ongoing labor costs, create new product categories, change regulatory risk, and open revenue opportunities; think of it like a self‑driving car or a factory robot that can work without a human constantly steering it.

aim-120 amraam technical

"destroy the target using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile."

AIM-120 AMRAAM is a guided air-to-air missile used by military fighter aircraft; it uses radar guidance to find and track targets at medium to long ranges, like a smart homing device launched from a jet. Investors pay attention because procurement, production, and export of such weapons drive revenue for defense manufacturers and are sensitive to government budgets, export approvals, and geopolitical tensions—factors that can change a supplier’s sales and stock value.

open standards technical

"mission autonomy solution which is built on open standards and government architectures"

Open standards are publicly documented rules and formats that let different products, systems or companies work together without special permission, like using the same plug and socket so any appliance fits any outlet. For investors, they matter because they lower the risk of a product being locked to one supplier, increase potential markets and competition, and can speed adoption of technologies that boost sales or cut costs.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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In the news release, Boeing, RAAF Achieve CCA Missile Fire from MQ-28 Ghost Bat, issued 09-Dec-2025 by Boeing over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that a change has been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Boeing, RAAF Achieve CCA Missile Fire from MQ-28 Ghost Bat

-  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, Australia, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic achievement, Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully executed a force integrated air-to-air autonomous weapon engagement from an MQ-28 Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

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, U.S. Air Force and industry partners. 

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Contact:
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com
www.boeing.com.au

Correction: An earlier version of this release incorrectly included an additional media contact.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Boeing and RAAF accomplish with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat on December 9, 2025 (BA)?

They completed the first autonomous air-to-air weapon engagement by an MQ-28, using an AIM-120 AMRAAM to destroy a fighter-class target drone.

How did the MQ-28, E-7A, and F/A-18F coordinate during the December 9, 2025 test (BA)?

The platforms launched separately, shared targeting data across all three, and an E-7A operator assumed custodianship to authorize the MQ-28 to engage.

What missile was used in the MQ-28 engagement on December 9, 2025 (BA)?

A Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile was used to successfully destroy the target drone.

What timeline did Boeing report for developing the MQ-28 weapon integration (BA)?

Boeing reported developing and fielding the hardware, software, and mission systems for live employment in under eight months.

Does the MQ-28 require crewed oversight during weapons engagements after the December 9, 2025 test (BA)?

Yes; during this mission an E-7A operator took custodianship and provided safety and engagement oversight before authorization to fire.

Which organizations collaborated on the MQ-28 missile firing test on December 9, 2025 (BA)?

The exercise involved Boeing, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and industry partners.