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3w ago

U.S. Navy Authorizes MQ-25 Stingray for Low‑Rate Production

The move clears the way for initial contracts that will field an unmanned carrier tanker to extend the carrier air wing’s range by taking over aerial refueling duties.

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The first MQ-25A Stingray produced under the Navy's program of record conducts flight testing. Photo from @SECNAV on X.
The first operational U.S. Navy MQ-25A Stingray soars over southern Illinois during a successful two-hour first flight on April 25, 2026. (Image credit: Boeing)

Overview

  • Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced Milestone C approval Tuesday, authorizing the MQ-25A to enter low‑rate initial production and enabling an LRIP Lot 1 award for three aircraft expected this summer.
  • A production‑representative MQ-25A flew on April 25 and completed an about two‑hour sortie that demonstrated autonomous taxi, takeoff, flight, landing, and response to ground‑control commands.
  • The MQ-25’s primary mission is organic carrier air‑wing refueling to free F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike tasks while also supporting limited intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
  • The program of record calls for 76 air vehicles and carries a Government Accountability Office cost estimate near $15.9–$16 billion, with Initial Operational Capability now projected in fiscal 2029.
  • Boeing will build the jets at a new MidAmerica, Illinois, facility and the program depends on the Cobham refueling pod, Rolls‑Royce engines and Lockheed Martin mission‑control software, creating supply‑chain and integration risks to watch as the EMD airframe moves to Patuxent River for follow‑on testing and carrier‑qualification preparations.