Unmanned tanker MQ-25A Stingray: first aircraft for the US Navy completes maiden flight

A few days ago it flew for the first time: the first MQ-25A Stingray, an unmanned tanker for the US Navy. The two-hour flight included several tests and manoeuvres. These were intended to confirm the basic flight controls and demonstrate the interaction with MD-5, the ground control station of the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS).

It was the first time a US Navy Stingray had been in the air – a milestone that brings the system one step closer to operations on aircraft carriers.

Dan Gillian, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Air Dominance, said:

Today's successful flight builds on years of experience with our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a significant step forward for the programme— Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance

The MQ-25A is the most complex autonomous system ever developed for aircraft carrier operations, and this historic achievement brings us a big step closer to safely integrating the Stingray into the carrier air wings.— Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance

Unmanned tanker: the next steps

Boeing and the US Navy are now flying further test missions from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport to confirm the aircraft's flight controls and capabilities in more detail. After that, it will move to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, where preparations for carrier qualification will begin.

The groundwork was laid by the Boeing-operated MQ-25A T1 prototype: first airborne in 2019, it logged around 125 flight hours during its service, providing the basis for the US Navy's first MQ-25A.

The US Navy is to receive a total of 76 MQ-25A aircraft, with estimated programme costs equivalent to 13.6 billion euros.