US Navy takes delivery of first MQ-25 autonomous refueller

Published on March 16, 2024

MQ-25 refueling 1 FA-18F

For the first time ever, the US Navy has a carrier-based aircraft that does not require a pilot.

The service has taken delivery of the first MQ-25 Stingray autonomous refueller from manufacturer Boeing.

“We’ve delivered the first US Navy MQ-25 Stingray for testing,” Boeing said on 21 February. “The unmanned carrier-based refueller will now undergo a rigorous airframe integrity evaluation.”

The latest fiscal year 2025 budget documents indicate the navy plans to acquire 76 Stingrays, including five test articles. At least 67 aircraft are projected to be operational models.

While the USA’s other military services have widely adopted uncrewed aircraft, the unique requirements of operating from the US Navy’s catapult assisted take-off/barrier arrested recovery aircraft carriers has limited UAS adoption in the service.

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