Boeing Delivers MQ-25 Stingray to U.S. Navy for Testing

The unmanned carrier-based refueling drone will now go through 'rigorous airframe integrity evaluation,' the company said.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 05:05 PM ET

Verified

Boeing has delivered the first MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling drone to the U.S. Navy for testing. [Courtesy: Boeing Defense]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing has delivered the first MQ-25 Stingray, the U.S. Navy's inaugural uncrewed aerial refueling drone, for rigorous testing.
The MQ-25 is designed to refuel carrier-based aircraft, such as F/A-18s and F-35Cs, significantly extending the range and capability of the Navy's carrier air wing.
The Navy plans to acquire over 70 of these drone tankers, and BAE Systems is upgrading its vehicle management system computer for enhanced functionality and computing power.

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Boeing has delivered the first MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling drone to the U.S. Navy for testing, the company said Wednesday.

The MQ-25 is the Navy’s first uncrewed aerial aircraft and designed to refuel carrier-based aircraft platforms, such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye, and F-35C Lightning II.