Loyal wingman is a concept for an autonomous combat drone designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets, acting as a force multiplier. Instead of replacing human pilots, these uncrewed aircraft extend the reach and firepower of manned squadrons by carrying extra sensors or weapons, performing reconnaissance, or absorbing enemy fire in place of expensive crewed fighters.

The core idea

Modern air forces face a difficult math problem: crewed stealth fighters like the F-35 are incredibly capable but also incredibly fragile and expensive. Losing one is a strategic shock. Loyal wingmen solve this by being "attritable" — meaning they are cheap enough that losing a few in battle doesn't break the bank, yet advanced enough to keep up with supersonic fighters.^[3] 

In practice, a pilot in a manned jet might command two or three loyal wingmen. The drones fly ahead to scan for radar threats, jam enemy communications, or release weapons when the pilot gives the order. This allows the human pilot to stay further back from danger while still projecting power deep into contested airspace.

The flagship example: MQ-28 Ghost Bat

The most advanced example of this concept is the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Originally known simply as the "Loyal Wingman," it was renamed after entering formal testing. It measures roughly 11.7 meters long and can fly at speeds up to Mach 0.9, matching the pace of traditional fighters.^[4] 

The program has moved rapidly from theory to reality. In June 2025, the MQ-28 deployed to an operational RAAF base for the first time, proving it could operate outside a test range. By December 2025, it had achieved a major milestone: executing an autonomous air-to-air weapon engagement while coordinating with a manned Wedgetail surveillance plane and a Super Hornet.^[5] 

A loyal wingman isn't trying to be a better pilot than a human. It's trying to be a better shield — taking the risk so the person in the cockpit doesn't have to.

Global race for autonomy

Australia isn't alone in pursuing this technology. The United States Air Force is running its own version called the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, aimed at fielding thousands of these drones to support F-35s and future sixth-generation fighters. China and other nations are also developing similar systems, signalling a shift toward swarms rather than single-pilot duels.

Boeing executives confirmed in early 2026 that the MQ-28 program is shifting from a technology demonstrator to a true operational combat aircraft, with initial service expected before 2028.^[6]  A new "Block 3" variant is also being designed specifically for export, targeting allied air forces looking for affordable ways to modernize their fleets without buying entire squadrons of manned stealth jets.^[7]