US Navy Clears Boeing MQ-25A Stingray for Low-Rate Initial Production
The US Navy has approved Milestone C for Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray, the first carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft, clearing it for low-rate initial production. Following a successful test flight on April 25, 2026, the program will produce up to 11 aircraft across three lots, with a planned total of 76. The MQ-25A aims to extend carrier air wing reach, reduce reliance on F/A-18s for tanking, and free up fighters for strike missions. Initial operational capability is expected in early 2029.
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U.S. Navy's First Carrier-Operated Unmanned Tanker Cleared for Production
Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that the MQ-25A 'Stingray' unmanned aerial tanker has passed Milestone C, transitioning from research and development to low-rate initial production. The program aims to extend Carrier Air Wing reach and reduce reliance on F/A-18 Super Hornets for buddy tanking, freeing them for strike and combat air patrol missions. The FY 2027 budget allocates $771 million for three additional MQ-25As and production enhancements, bringing total procured airframes to six out of a planned 76. The first Navy-owned Boeing-built MQ-25 completed a two-hour test flight on April 25, 2026, and will undergo integration testing at NAS Patuxent River. Initial operational capability is now expected in early 2029, delayed from 2024. The aircraft uses the Cobham aerial refueling pod compatible with F-35C and E-2D aircraft. Boeing will produce the MQ-25A at a new facility in Illinois, with Rolls-Royce supplying AE 3007N engines and BAE as a subcontractor.
Naval NewsU.S. Navy's First Carrier-Operated Unmanned Tanker Cleared for Production
Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that the MQ-25A 'Stingray' unmanned aerial tanker has passed Milestone C, transitioning from research and development to low-rate initial production. The program aims to extend Carrier Air Wing reach and reduce reliance on F/A-18 Super Hornets for buddy tanking, freeing them for strike and combat air patrol missions. The FY 2027 budget allocates $771 million for three additional airframes and production enhancements, bringing total procured airframes to six out of a planned 76. The first Navy-owned MQ-25 completed a successful two-hour test flight on April 25, 2026, and will undergo further integration testing at NAS Patuxent River. Initial operational capability is now expected in early 2029, delayed from the original 2024 target. Boeing will produce the aircraft at a new facility in Illinois, with Rolls-Royce supplying AE 3007N engines and BAE Systems as a subcontractor.
Naval NewsU.S. Navy’s First Carrier-Operated Unmanned Tanker Cleared for Production
Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that the MQ-25A 'Stingray' unmanned aerial tanker has passed Milestone C, transitioning from research and development to low-rate initial production. The program aims to extend the reach of Carrier Air Wings and reduce reliance on F/A-18 Super Hornets for tanker duties, freeing them for strike and combat air patrol missions. The FY 2027 budget allocates $771 million for three additional MQ-25As and production enhancements, bringing total procured airframes to six out of a planned 76. The first Navy-owned MQ-25 completed a successful two-hour test flight on April 25, 2026, and will undergo further integration testing at NAS Patuxent River. Initial operational capability is now expected in early 2029. Boeing will produce the aircraft at a new facility in Illinois, with Rolls-Royce supplying the AE 3007N turbofan engine and BAE Systems as a subcontractor.
Naval NewsU.S. Navy's First Carrier-Operated Unmanned Tanker Cleared for Production
Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that the MQ-25A 'Stingray' unmanned aerial tanker has passed Milestone C, transitioning from research and development to low-rate initial production. The program aims to extend Carrier Air Wing reach and reduce reliance on F/A-18 Super Hornets for buddy tanking, freeing them for strike and combat air patrol missions. The FY 2027 budget allocates $771 million for three additional MQ-25As and production enhancements, bringing total procured airframes to six out of a planned 76. The first Navy-owned MQ-25 completed a two-hour test flight on April 25, 2026, and will undergo integration testing at NAS Patuxent River. Initial operational capability is now expected in early 2029, delayed from 2024. Boeing will produce the aircraft at a new facility in Illinois, with Rolls-Royce supplying AE 3007N engines and BAE as a subcontractor.
Naval NewsUS Navy Clears Boeing MQ-25A Stingray for Low-Rate Initial Production
The US Navy has granted Milestone C approval for Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray, clearing the uncrewed aerial refueling aircraft for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the decision following the first operational test flight on April 25, 2026. The LRIP contract for Lot 1 will cover three aircraft, with options for Lot 2 (three aircraft) and Lot 3 (five aircraft). The MQ-25A is the first carrier-based uncrewed aerial vehicle developed specifically for refueling missions, designed to refuel F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, thereby increasing the number of fighters available for strike operations. The program, overseen by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Programme Office (PMA-268), aims to enhance carrier air wing endurance, preserve operational life of existing aircraft, and support future manned-unmanned teaming operations.
Naval TechnologyNavy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler
The U.S. Navy has approved low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the MQ-25A Stingray drone tanker, reaching Milestone C. A contract for three aircraft is expected in summer 2026, with options for eight more. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the decision during a Senate hearing, highlighting the capability of unmanned inflight refueling. The Stingray, built by Boeing, will replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in the refueling role, extending carrier strike group lethality and preserving Super Hornet service life. The program plans for 76 aircraft total but has faced delays and cost increases, with estimated total costs rising 4% to $16 billion and unit costs around $209 million. The Pentagon requested $1.75 billion for FY2027. The milestone follows a successful two-hour test flight from Boeing's facility in Illinois in April 2026.
Defense One - All ContentNavy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler
The U.S. Navy has approved low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the MQ-25A Stingray drone tanker, reaching Milestone C. A contract for three aircraft is expected in summer 2026, with options for eight more. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the decision during a Senate hearing, highlighting the capability of unmanned inflight refueling. The Stingray, built by Boeing, will replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in the refueling role, extending carrier strike group lethality and preserving Super Hornet service life. The program plans for 76 aircraft total but has faced delays and cost increases, with estimated total costs rising 4% to $16 billion and unit costs around $209 million. The Pentagon requested $1.75 billion for FY2027. The milestone follows a successful two-hour test flight from Boeing's facility in Illinois in April 2026.
Defense One - All ContentNavy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler
The U.S. Navy has approved low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the MQ-25A Stingray drone tanker, reaching Milestone C. A contract for three aircraft is expected in summer 2026, with options for eight more. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the decision during a Senate hearing, highlighting the capability of unmanned inflight refueling. The Stingray, built by Boeing, will replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in the refueling role, extending carrier strike group lethality and preserving Super Hornet service life. The program plans for 76 aircraft total but has faced delays and cost increases, with estimated total costs rising 4% to $16 billion and unit costs around $209 million. The Pentagon requested $1.75 billion for FY2027. The milestone follows a successful two-hour test flight from Boeing's facility in Illinois in April 2026.
Defense One - All ContentNavy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler
The U.S. Navy has approved low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the MQ-25A Stingray drone tanker, reaching Milestone C. A contract for three aircraft is expected in summer 2026, with options for eight more. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the decision during a Senate hearing, highlighting the capability of unmanned inflight refueling. The Stingray, built by Boeing, will replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in the refueling role, extending carrier strike group lethality and preserving Super Hornet service life. The program plans for 76 aircraft total but has faced delays and cost increases, with estimated total costs rising 4% to $16 billion and unit costs around $209 million. The Pentagon requested $1.75 billion for FY2027. The milestone follows a successful two-hour test flight in April 2026 from Boeing's facility in Illinois.
Defense One - All ContentMQ-25A Stingray Cleared for Low-Rate Initial Production and Deployment
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the MQ-25A Stingray, Boeing's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, has reached milestone C, authorizing transition from engineering and manufacturing development into low-rate initial production (LRIP) and deployment. The $805 million contract, inked in 2018, covers design, development, fabrication, test, and delivery of four aircraft, with the overall program expected to cost about $13 billion for 72 units. The Stingray successfully completed its first two-hour test flight on April 25 from Mascoutah, Illinois, controlled via the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System. An LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, with options for additional lots. The MQ-25A is intended to provide unmanned aerial refueling for carrier air wings, freeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike missions and extending operational reach while preserving airframe service life.
Defense NewsMQ-25A Stingray Cleared for Low-Rate Initial Production and Deployment
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the MQ-25A Stingray, Boeing's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, has reached milestone C, authorizing transition from engineering and manufacturing development into low-rate initial production (LRIP) and deployment. The $805 million contract, inked in 2018, covers design, development, fabrication, test, and delivery of four aircraft, with the overall program expected to cost about $13 billion for 72 units. The Stingray successfully completed its first two-hour test flight on April 25 from Mascoutah, Illinois, controlled via the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System. An LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, with options for additional lots. The MQ-25A is intended to provide unmanned aerial refueling for carrier air wings, freeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike missions and extending operational reach while preserving aircraft service life.
Defense NewsMQ-25A Stingray Cleared for Deployment, Says Acting Navy Secretary Cao
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the MQ-25A Stingray, Boeing's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, has reached Milestone C and is moving into low-rate initial production and deployment. The Stingray is designed to provide unmanned aerial refueling for Carrier Air Wings, freeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike missions. The program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018 for four aircraft, is expected to cost about $13 billion for 72 aircraft. Despite a one-year delay in its first test flight, the Stingray successfully completed a two-hour flight on April 25 from Mascoutah, Illinois. A low-rate initial production Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, with options for additional lots. Officials emphasize that integrating unmanned refueling will extend the operational reach and lethality of Carrier Strike Groups while preserving the service life of Super Hornets.
Defense NewsMQ-25A Stingray Cleared for Low-Rate Initial Production and Deployment
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the MQ-25A Stingray, Boeing's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, has reached milestone C, authorizing transition from engineering and manufacturing development into low-rate initial production (LRIP) and deployment. The $805 million contract, inked in 2018, covers design, development, fabrication, test, and delivery of four aircraft, with the overall program expected to cost about $13 billion for 72 units. The Stingray successfully completed its first two-hour test flight on April 25 from Mascoutah, Illinois. An LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, with options for additional lots. The MQ-25A is intended to provide unmanned aerial refueling for carrier air wings, freeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to focus on strike missions, thereby extending operational reach and preserving service life of the Super Hornet fleet.
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