Boeing and US Navy complete successful MQ-25A test flight

Boeing and the U.S. Navy have completed the first test flight of an operational MQ-25A Stingray, advancing the program toward aircraft carrier integration and operational testing.

During a two-hour sortie from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, the unmanned aircraft autonomously taxied, took off, flew, landed, and responded to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station. Boeing and Navy Air Vehicle Pilots issued commands and monitored performance from the ground station at the program’s base. Once airborne, the aircraft followed a pre-planned mission to validate flight controls, navigation, and safe integration with the control system.

“Today’s successful flight builds on years of learning from our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a major maturation of the program,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager, Boeing Air Dominance. “The MQ-25A is the most complex autonomous system ever developed for the carrier environment, and this historic achievement advances us closer to safely integrating the Stingray into the carrier air wing.”

The Navy intends to use the MQ-25A to introduce unmanned aircraft to the carrier deck and support teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems. Its autonomous aerial refueling mission is expected to extend the reach of the carrier air wing and free F/A-18 Super Hornets currently assigned to refueling so they can focus on strike fighter roles.

“The first flight of the MQ-25A is a landmark achievement for the Navy-Boeing team and a critical step toward the future of the carrier air wing,” said Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “This flight demonstrates our progress in delivering a carrier-based refueling capability that will significantly extend the reach and lethality of our fleet.”

The aircraft that flew is the first of four Engineering Development Model airframes to be delivered to the Navy under the original $805 million Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract.

“Watching our first Navy aircraft complete an autonomous flight underscores what disciplined teamwork and rigorous testing deliver,” said Troy Rutherford, vice president, Boeing MQ-25 program. “Today would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Boeing, Navy, and industry team. Together, we are redefining the future of naval aviation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with autonomy.”

Additional flights from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport are planned to further verify controls and capabilities before the program moves to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to prepare for carrier qualifications.