The unmanned "tanker" MQ-25 Stingray went over the ground — now into the sky!

 

MQ-25 Stingray

The US Navy and Boeing finally have reason to be optimistic: ground tests of the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tanker aircraft have begun. This is an important step for drones to start refueling fighter jets right in the air — without a pilot, without risking their lives and with greater efficiency.

The MQ-25 is currently undergoing tests on the ground: control systems, engines, operation with fuel hoses and compatibility with the deck infrastructure of aircraft carriers are being tested. This is preparation for the main thing — the first flight of the production model, which, as hoped by Boeing and the U.S. Navy, will take place this year.

However, the path to this moment turned out to be long and thorny. The project has been repeatedly delayed due to technical difficulties, revised requirements, and bureaucracy. But now everything seems to be going according to plan.

Why do we need an unmanned tanker at all? It's very simple: fighters like the F/A-18 Super Hornet or F-35C consume a lot of fuel, especially when departing from an aircraft carrier. Now some of these tasks are performed by combat aircraft themselves in the role of "fuel barges" — but this deprives the fleet of firepower. The MQ-25 will free up fighters for combat missions, and it will "work as a taxi" — it will fly, refuel, and leave.

When the MQ-25 starts flying, it will change the logistics of carrier operations. The range of carrier—based aircraft will increase, and hence the strike force.

So, although the Stingray is still only rolling on concrete, it will rise into the air very soon. And it won't just be a flight — it will be the beginning of a new era on aircraft carriers.