Boeing has been awarded a $562m fixed-price incentive contract by the US Navy to begin production of the MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed aerial refueller.
The contract covers the first low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot, funding three MQ-25A systems and advanced acquisition of components required for three additional aircraft in a subsequent production batch.
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Initial deliveries of the Lot 1 MQ-25A aircraft are expected to begin in 2029, the US Navy confirmed in a 14 September release.
The award follows the Navy’s Milestone C approval in May, which authorises the transition from the development phase to production and deployment.
US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation programme manager (PMA-268) captain Daniel Fucito said: “Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams.
“MQ-25A will deliver the advanced reach, lethality, and survivability our warfighters need to outpace evolving threats and dominate the future battlespace.”
The MQ-25A, intended to provide a carrier-based aerial refuelling capability, will enable carrier air wings to extend the operational range of their aircraft while allowing more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to be designated for strike missions rather than tanker duties.
The Navy cited improvements in air wing readiness and a prolonged Super Hornet service life as key benefits of the project.
The current programme of record comprises 76 MQ-25A aircraft in total, including four Engineering Development and Manufacturing (EDM) systems and five System Demonstration Test Articles.
According to the Navy, seven test aircraft are presently in production at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mascoutah, Illinois.
Boeing was selected for the MQ-25A programme in 2018 following a competition with Lockheed Martin and General Atomics.
The company was previously awarded $805.3m for the engineering and manufacturing development phase to design and build four MQ-25A demonstrators.
In April this year, Boeing and the US Navy conducted the first operational test flight of the MQ-25A Stingray at Boeing’s MidAmerica Airport facility in Mascoutah, Illinois
Responsibility for managing and integrating the MQ-25A air system and its mission control is held by the Navy’s PMA-268 office.
