The United States Navy has officially authorized Boeing to begin production of the MQ-25A “Stingray” unmanned aerial refueling aircraft.
After eight years of development, the project will initially enter low-rate production, with three aircraft planned to be manufactured during the first year.
Valued at approximately $200 million, the MQ-25A is capable of taking off from aircraft carrier decks, carrying up to 15,000 pounds of fuel, and refueling combat aircraft in flight. The main objective of the program is to relieve F/A-18 “Super Hornet” fighter jets of tanker duties, allowing them to focus directly on combat operations.
The first carrier-based trials of the unmanned tanker aircraft are scheduled for late 2026.
Although designed as an unarmed platform, the MQ-25A’s long operational range and low-visibility capabilities mean that its future use in strike missions cannot be ruled out.
