US Navy receives MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone for aerial testing

News, US February 26, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Boeing has delivered the first unit of its MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone to the U.S. Navy for testing. The unmanned carrier-based refueling drone will now go through a “rigorous airframe integrity evaluation,” in aerial refueling operations, Boeing said in a statement.

The MQ-25 is the first-of-its-kind uncrewed aerial vehicle crafted specifically for refueling carrier-based aircraft platforms, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and F-35C Lightning II. This unmanned aircraft is also capable of carrying out standard missions including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

The U.S. Navy plans to deploy a fleet of MQ-25 drones on its aircraft carriers to bolster the refueling operations of its Carrier Air Wing (CVW) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Boeing started working on the MQ-25 Stingray project back in 2018 when secured a $805 million contract to construct the initial four units of the refueling drone. Several other competitors including General Atomics and Lockheed Martin also proposed their design for the project, however, Boeing’s MQ-25 secured the contract.

Subsequently, in 2020, the U.S. Navy made another $84.7 million contract to procure three additional drones, with plans to build a fleet comprising 76 units for $1.3 billion.

In a notable milestone in 2021, the MQ-25 achieved successful integration into the carrier environment during a demonstration held aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). This pivotal test confirmed the effectiveness, capacity, and handling characteristics of the unmanned aircraft’s deck handling system, laying the groundwork for future progressions.

*^{U.S. Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone. (Image Credit: Boeing)}*

Initially, Boeing was set to deliver the first batch of these drones in 2025, however, in 2023 the company announced that the unmanned aerial refueler’s initial operational capability had been pushed ahead by a year due to production delays.

“We are experiencing some production maturity challenges with the MQ-25,” Boeing announced in a statement. “People don’t realize how big the actual MQ-25 is, It’s as long as an F-18 with the wingspan of an E-2,” Boeing added saying that COVID-19-related logistics hurdles have pushed the aircraft’s production back by one year.

MQ-25 Stingray

Equipped with advanced technology, the MQ-25 boasts a wingspan of approximately 75 feet and a length of around 51 feet. It has a maximum takeoff weight of over 1300 kilograms and is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PW815 turbofan engine, enabling it to achieve speeds and ranges conducive to its refueling role.

The MQ-25 features state-of-the-art avionics and autonomous capabilities, enabling it to operate efficiently in complex maritime environments while reducing the workload on carrier-based personnel.

With its innovative design and strategic significance, the MQ-25 Stingray represents a pivotal advancement in naval aviation capabilities, ensuring sustained operational readiness and mission success for the United States Navy.