Boeing Reveals First Look at MQ-25 Unmanned Refueling Aircraft

Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 10:55 PM ET

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Speculation led some to believe that Boeing was teasing a space airplane or VTOL aircraft, but the big reveal was the company's MQ-25 competition entry. Boeing

Key Takeaways:

Boeing revealed its mysterious new aircraft is its submission for the U.S. Navy's MQ-25 competition for an unmanned aerial refueling drone.
The MQ-25 program aims to extend the combat range of Navy fighter jets, including F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and F-35C Lightning IIs, through unmanned refueling capabilities.
Boeing's entry is currently undergoing engine runs and will compete against Lockheed Martin and General Atomics (following Northrop Grumman's withdrawal), with a contract expected to be awarded in the second quarter of 2018.

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When Boeing tweeted an eight-second clip of a mysterious aircraft last week with the idea that it might be “changing future air power,” speculation ran wild that this was either some sort of space airplane or perhaps a new VTOL aircraft with a “hairdryer-type engine.” Close, but no cigar.