The RAAF-defined exercises required the MQ-28 to perform operationally relevant missions to support and extend the role of existing crewed aircraft. The demonstrations confirmed autonomous behaviours, multi-ship operations, deployment to RAAF Base Tindal, teaming with an E-7A Wedgetail, and data fusion and transmission to crewed platforms.
“The RAAF set the task of proving the first four steps in the Air Combat chain for the MQ-28 and we have accomplished that sooner than anticipated,” said Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 Global programme director. “Completing this work early allows us to accelerate the next phases of development – engage and assess – with an air-to-air weapon shot planned for later this year or in early 2026. The demonstrations have proven the maturity of MQ-28’s capabilities and the utility of CCA’s and their application to the future force mix,” Ferguson said.
The MQ-28 has been developed as an autonomous capability to complement the find, fix, track and target functions of air combat while reducing risk to crewed aircraft. The validated features will now be incorporated into Block 2 production aircraft, forming the basis of an initial operational capability for the RAAF and allied partners.
