MQ-28A Ghost Bat. Photo: Boeing, as credited in the original article.
Japan Advances SHIELD Program and Considers New Unmanned Combat Platforms
The Japanese government has recently engaged Boeing over the potential acquisition of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat under its Strategic Defense and Security Initiative for Layered Coastal Defense, known as SHIELD. If the acquisition moves forward, the MQ-28A could operate alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35 fighters in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) missions, strengthening Japan’s coastal and surrounding air defense capabilities.
Facing China’s continued development of new fighter aircraft and unmanned systems, Japan regards these capabilities as a serious security challenge. Tokyo therefore included the SHIELD program in its FY2026 budget proposal in September 2025, seeking to accelerate the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), while employing artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomous technologies to allow unmanned platforms to work alongside manned systems. Boeing’s recent engagement with the Japanese government is aimed at exploring potential future cooperation.
MQ-28A Undergoes Expanded Operational Testing for MUM-T
The MQ-28A, developed by Boeing in cooperation with the Royal Australian Air Force, has undergone a series of weapons-integration and manned-unmanned teaming tests. In December last year, the aircraft carried AIM-120 air-to-air missiles during a live-fire air-to-air exercise alongside E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft and F/A-18F fighters. In May this year, it conducted operational flight testing on the U.S. West Coast before deploying to the Northern Mariana Islands in June for Exercise Valiant Shield 2026.
The MQ-28A has also conducted collaborative testing with Australian F-35A and U.S. F-15EX fighters, continuing to validate its ability to operate alongside different manned combat aircraft. These trials reflect the aircraft’s development from a conventional unmanned flight platform toward an unmanned combat system capable of weapons employment and more complex mission teaming.
3,700-Kilometer Range Enables Operations in High-Threat Airspace
The MQ-28A has a maximum range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles, or 3,700 kilometers. In addition to its external weapons-carrying capability, the aircraft features a modular nose section that can accommodate electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and electronic warfare equipment depending on mission requirements, supporting missions ranging from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to air combat.
With its extended range and modular mission systems, the MQ-28A could operate forward in high-threat environments for reconnaissance, sensing, electronic warfare and air-combat missions. By sharing battlefield information and assuming some higher-risk tasks alongside manned fighters, the unmanned aircraft could reduce the exposure of manned aircraft to heavily contested areas.
Potential Integration With F-35 and GCAP to Strengthen Deterrence
If Japan and Boeing ultimately reach an agreement, the MQ-28A could potentially operate alongside Japan’s F-35A and F-35B fifth-generation fighters, and eventually form part of a broader manned-unmanned combat architecture with the sixth-generation fighter being developed by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
For Japan, acquiring the MQ-28A would not only expand its inventory of unmanned combat platforms but also provide an opportunity to further develop AI-enabled autonomy, manned-unmanned teaming and integration among different combat systems. If the cooperation progresses, it could mark an important step in Japan-U.S.-Australia security cooperation and unmanned warfare development while strengthening Japan’s deterrence posture against regional security challenges.
Originally published by Little Liao in Asia Horizon Review on Medium