/C O R R E C T I O N -- Boeing/

Rhea-AI Summary

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the Royal Australian Air Force announced a successful autonomous air-to-air weapon engagement by an MQ-28 Ghost Bat on Dec. 9, 2025. The MQ-28 teamed with an E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet to destroy a fighter-class target drone using a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Key points: the E-7A assumed custodianship for safety and authorization, the F/A-18F provided sensor tracking and shared targeting data, and Boeing said the mission demonstrates mature MQ-28 combat autonomy and integration with 4th–6th generation platforms. Boeing said the system was developed using open architectures and was integrated, tested and employed in under eight months.

Positive

• First autonomous air-to-air AIM-120 missile engagement
• MQ-28 integrated with E-7A and F/A-18F in live operation
• Mission systems integrated and employed in under eight months

Negative

• None.

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.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-raaf-achieve-cca-missile-fire-from-mq-28-ghost-bat-302636144.html

SOURCE Boeing

FAQ

What did Boeing (BA) announce on Dec. 9, 2025 about the MQ-28 Ghost Bat?

Boeing announced the MQ-28 performed an autonomous air-to-air engagement with an AIM-120 missile, destroying a fighter-class target drone.

How did the MQ-28 Ghost Bat operate with RAAF aircraft during the Dec. 9, 2025 mission?

An E-7A took custodianship for safety, the F/A-18F provided sensor tracking, and targeting data was shared across all three platforms.

What missile was used in Boeing and RAAF's MQ-28 engagement on Dec. 9, 2025?

The mission used a Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM missile to destroy the target.

Why does Boeing say the Dec. 9, 2025 MQ-28 test matters for investors in BA?

Boeing framed the test as evidence of mature combat autonomy and interoperable open architectures that may support defense product demand.

How long did Boeing say it took to integrate, test and employ the MQ-28 weapon capability?

Boeing stated the hardware, software and mission systems were integrated, tested and employed in under eight months.