Autonomous collaborative combat aircraft competition accelerates

Defence AIDronesGlobal

Published: 22 July 2026. Boeing displayed its flight-tested MQ-28 Ghost Bat while Anduril, General Atomics, Airbus and others promoted collaborative combat aircraft. Boeing says Ghost Bat has completed more than 100 test flights; the Australian Defence Force has contracted seven aircraft. The US Air Force plans more than 150 combat-capable CCA aircraft by decade’s end.

Why it matters: Autonomy software, modular mission systems and lower-cost mass are becoming core air-power investment themes. Operational autonomy, rules of engagement and human control remain critical governance issues. a report