WOOMERA, Australia -- Boeing 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 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.
Amy List, managing director of Boeing Defense Australia, said, "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."
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.
The exercise was a collaborative effort between Boeing, the RAAF, U.S. Air Force and industry partners.
