日擬引進MQ-28A「幽靈蝙蝠」　鞏固日本沿海防衛

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MQ-28A（圖片取自波音集團網站）

日本啟動SHIELD計畫　研擬引進無人作戰平台

Japan Advances SHIELD Program and Considers New Unmanned Combat Platforms

日本政府近日依據「多層沿岸防衛體系」（SHIELD）計畫，與波音集團展開接觸，研擬引進MQ-28A「幽靈蝙蝠」（Ghost Bat）無人機。未來若完成採購，MQ-28A可望搭配航空自衛隊F-35戰機執行「有人／無人組合」（MUM-T）協同作戰，進一步強化日本沿海與周邊空域的防衛能力。

The Japanese government has recently engaged Boeing over the potential acquisition of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat under its Strategic Defense and Security Initiative for Layered Coastal Defense, known as SHIELD. If the acquisition moves forward, the MQ-28A could operate alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35 fighters in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) missions, strengthening Japan’s coastal and surrounding air defense capabilities.

鑑於中國持續發展新型戰機與無人機，日本政府認為相關軍事能力對日本安全環境構成嚴峻挑戰，因此在2025年9月編列2026財政年度預算案時納入SHIELD計畫，研擬加速整合無人航空載具（UAV）、無人水面載具（USV）及無人水下載具（UUV），並運用人工智慧（AI）自主技術，讓無人平台與有人作戰系統協同執行防衛任務。波音近期與日本政府接觸，也被視為探詢雙方未來合作可能性的一環。

Facing China’s continued development of new fighter aircraft and unmanned systems, Japan regards these capabilities as a serious security challenge. Tokyo therefore included the SHIELD program in its FY2026 budget proposal in September 2025, seeking to accelerate the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), while employing artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomous technologies to allow unmanned platforms to work alongside manned systems. Boeing’s recent engagement with the Japanese government is aimed at exploring potential future cooperation.

MQ-28A持續實戰化測試　強化有人／無人協同

MQ-28A Undergoes Expanded Operational Testing for MUM-T

MQ-28A由波音與澳洲皇家空軍主導研發，近年持續進行武器整合與有人／無人協同測試。該機去年12月曾掛載AIM-120空對空飛彈，搭配E-7A「楔尾」預警機與F/A-18F戰機執行空對空實彈射擊；今年5月則前往美國西岸進行作戰飛行測試，6月再飛赴北馬里亞納群島參與「勇敢之盾26」（Valiant Shield 2026）多國聯合演習。

The MQ-28A, developed by Boeing in cooperation with the Royal Australian Air Force, has undergone a series of weapons-integration and manned-unmanned teaming tests. In December last year, the aircraft carried AIM-120 air-to-air missiles during a live-fire air-to-air exercise alongside E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft and F/A-18F fighters. In May this year, it conducted operational flight testing on the U.S. West Coast before deploying to the Northern Mariana Islands in June for Exercise Valiant Shield 2026.

此外，MQ-28A也先後與澳洲F-35A及美軍F-15EX戰機進行協同測試，持續驗證無人機與不同有人作戰平台之間的協同作戰能力。相關測試顯示，MQ-28A正逐步從單純無人飛行平台，朝具備武器運用及複雜任務協同能力的無人作戰系統發展。

The MQ-28A has also conducted collaborative testing with Australian F-35A and U.S. F-15EX fighters, continuing to validate its ability to operate alongside different manned combat aircraft. These trials reflect the aircraft’s development from a conventional unmanned flight platform toward an unmanned combat system capable of weapons employment and more complex mission teaming.

航程達3700公里　可深入高威脅空域執行任務

3,700-Kilometer Range Enables Operations in High-Threat Airspace

性能方面，MQ-28A最大航程達2000浬、約3700公里，除具備外掛武器能力外，機首採模組化設計，可依任務需求整合紅外線光電（EO/IR）感測器及電子戰干擾設備，藉此執行情監偵與制空作戰等不同任務。

The MQ-28A has a maximum range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles, or 3,700 kilometers. In addition to its external weapons-carrying capability, the aircraft features a modular nose section that can accommodate electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and electronic warfare equipment depending on mission requirements, supporting missions ranging from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to air combat.

透過較長航程與模組化任務系統，MQ-28A可望在高威脅環境下前進部署，執行偵察、感測、電子戰及制空等任務，並與有人戰機共享戰場資訊、分擔部分高風險任務，降低有人機直接進入威脅空域所承擔的風險。

With its extended range and modular mission systems, the MQ-28A could operate forward in high-threat environments for reconnaissance, sensing, electronic warfare and air-combat missions. By sharing battlefield information and assuming some higher-risk tasks alongside manned fighters, the unmanned aircraft could reduce the exposure of manned aircraft to heavily contested areas.

未來可搭配F-35與GCAP　強化日美澳嚇阻戰力

Potential Integration With F-35 and GCAP to Strengthen Deterrence

若日本與波音的合作最終成案，MQ-28A未來可望與航空自衛隊現役F-35A、F-35B等第五代戰機共同運用，並進一步與英國、義大利及日本共同推動的「全球空戰計畫」（GCAP）第六代戰機形成協同作戰架構，擴大有人／無人組合的作戰效益。

If Japan and Boeing ultimately reach an agreement, the MQ-28A could potentially operate alongside Japan’s F-35A and F-35B fifth-generation fighters, and eventually form part of a broader manned-unmanned combat architecture with the sixth-generation fighter being developed by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

對日本而言，引進MQ-28A不僅可增加無人作戰平台數量，也能進一步驗證AI自主技術、有人／無人協同及多型作戰平台整合能力。若相關合作順利推進，將有望成為日美澳安全合作及無人作戰能力發展的重要一步，並持續強化日本面對區域安全挑戰的嚇阻戰力。

For Japan, acquiring the MQ-28A would not only expand its inventory of unmanned combat platforms but also provide an opportunity to further develop AI-enabled autonomy, manned-unmanned teaming and integration among different combat systems. If the cooperation progresses, it could mark an important step in Japan-U.S.-Australia security cooperation and unmanned warfare development while strengthening Japan’s deterrence posture against regional security challenges.