The MQ-28 has completed three operational flight tests on the Point Mugu Sea Range at US Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California, to validate autonomous operations and demonstrate rapid deployment and sustained operations from an allied location.
The deployment is the Australia-developed MQ-28’s first international operation in allied airspace and signals growing global interest in uncrewed autonomous combat capability.
This testing shows the MQ-28’s ability to operate from allied facilities, which helps Boeing demonstrate the aircraft’s maturity and potential export opportunities to international customers outside Australia.
“The activity at Point Mugu is part of Boeing’s ongoing flight test program to mature the MQ-28 and demonstrate operations from allied locations,” MQ-28 global program director, Glen Ferguson, said. “MQ-28 is using this location to further prove the maturity of the program and inform future exportability.”
Tests at Point Mugu validate autonomous systems while following required airspace, range safety and regulatory approvals. MQ-28 took flight three times, each for a specified amount of time, over the Pacific Ocean. Range safety procedures, certified range assets and coordination with authorities are used to mitigate risk.
MQ-28 is part of a broader Boeing family of systems. It was developed by Boeing Australia and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).