MQ-28 Test Fires 1st AIM-120, Australia Commits $1.4B

An AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile is launched from an MQ-28A Ghost Bat during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia | Photo: Department of Defence, Australia

Australia has confirmed the first live autonomous air-to-air missile engagement by the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, marking a major milestone in the development of the country’s collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program and signalling a new phase in the integration of uncrewed systems into frontline air operations. During a trial at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, the Ghost Bat launched an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile to destroy an Australian-made Phoenix Jet target drone. The mission took place while the aircraft was teamed with a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, demonstrating coordinated crewed-uncrewed air combat operations.

Boeing said the event represents the first time an autonomous aircraft has executed an AIM-120 engagement. Amy List, managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, stated, “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.” She said the demonstration “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.”

According to Colin Miller, vice president and general manager of Phantom Works, “”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.”

“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,” Miller added.

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia | Photo: Department of Defence, Australia/AC Ivan Smotrov

Following the successful firing, the Albanese Government announced approximately AUD 1.4 billion in new funding to advance the Ghost Bat program. The investment will support the acquisition of six Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype under new contracts with Boeing Defence Australia. The government said these aircraft will form the basis of an operational air combat platform within the RAAF as part of a broader decade-long plan to spend more than AUD 10 billion on drones, including AUD 4.3 billion on uncrewed systems.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said, “This landmark demonstration proves the MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a world-leading collaborative combat aircraft made and designed in Australia. The successful weapons demonstration underlines its growing potential to deliver an operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the platform represents an important development for both operational capability and industry. “The Ghost Bat transforms a single fighter jet into a formidable team — capable not only of surveillance but also of engaging adversaries,” he said. “The MQ-28A program is also building a stronger sovereign defence industry and increasing Australia’s resilience with over 70 per cent of this investment remaining on our shores, providing high-tech, high-paying jobs for Australians.”

The Ghost Bat program supports more than 440 jobs nationwide across Boeing Defence Australia and over 200 domestic suppliers, reflecting the government’s emphasis on industrial participation. The missile-firing exercise was conducted with participation from the RAAF, U.S. Air Force and industry partners.