The MQ-25 Stingray is a next-generation unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft being developed by Boeing for the US Navy’s Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) programme.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will offer carrier-based unmanned aerial refuelling capability to the US Navy. It will help reduce the dependence on F/A-18E/F combat strike fighters for tanking tasks and increase their availability for strike fighter missions.
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In May 2026, the US Navy confirmed that the MQ-25A Stingray progressed to Milestone C in the development process, authorising the programme to move into low-rate initial production (LRIP).
A LRIP Lot 1 deal covering three aircraft is anticipated to be placed this summer, with priced options included for Lot 2 (a further three aircraft) and Lot 3 (five aircraft).
The initial operational capability of the aircraft, which had originally been scheduled for 2024, has been delayed due to various reasons.
MQ-25 UAV development details
The US Navy released the final request for proposals for the CBARS programme in October 2017. In addition to Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Atomics proposed Sea Avenger and Sea Ghost unmanned tanker concepts, respectively, for the programme.
Boeing emerged as the winner and secured an $805.3m engineering and manufacturing development (EDM) contract to design and manufacture four MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tankers in August 2018. The contractual scope includes fabrication, test, supply and support of the UAVs.
A Boeing-owned MQ-25A test asset T1 UAV completed its maiden test flight in September 2019 and received its experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In April 2020, Boeing received an $84.7m contract modification from the US Navy for three additional MQ-25 UAVs, bringing the total number of orders to seven.
The US Navy aviators from VX-1 and VX-23 squadrons participated in the MQ-25 simulation training in November 2020, which enabled them to learn the flight operations from start-up to shut-down from the ground control station (GCS).
Boeing and the US Navy flew the MQ-25 test asset T1 with an aerial refuelling store in December 2020. The 2.5-hour flight was controlled by pilots from a ground control station at MidAmerica St Louis Airport.
The early flight testing of MQ-25 test asset T1 demonstrated the UAV’s capability to remain airborne at various speeds and altitudes for approximately 30 hours.
In June 2021, the MQ-25 T1 test asset became the first UAV to conduct air-to-air refuelling with another aircraft. Further tests were conducted in August and September. In December of the same year, the aircraft also completed its initial carrier-based trials aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
Boeing transferred the first US Navy EDM aircraft to its new MQ-25 production facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in March 2025, where final assembly began.
The first operational MQ-25A Stingray was delivered to the US Navy in May 2025 for testing. The aircraft completed the initial taxi trial in January 2026.
In April 2026, the MQ-25A Stingray completed its first test flight. Further flights are scheduled to confirm the aircraft’s flight control system and performance before it is transferred to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to support preparations for aircraft carrier qualification.
MQ-25 Stingray design and features
The MQ-25A measures 51ft (15.5m) in length and has a wingspan of 75ft with wings spread and a wingspan of 31.3ft with the wings closed. The height of the aircraft with its wings spread is 9.8ft and the height with wings folded is 15.7ft.
The aircraft is capable of delivering up to 6,800kg (15,000lb) of fuel to a distance of 926km (500 nautical miles). It can refuel the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35C fighter jets, significantly extending their range and time in the air. The refuelling operations can be performed using satellite and radio communications.
The unmanned tanker is integrated with the US Navy’s traditional catapult launch and recovery systems.
The MQ-25 Stingray is installed with CorePower electronic circuit breaker unit (ECBU) technology, which provides intelligent control and visibility of the on-board power systems to the operators.
Ground control station
The MQ‑25A Stingray aircraft is controlled by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 GCS.
The GCS consists of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works MDCX™ open architecture command and control software platform.
MQ-25 Stingray engine
The unmanned aircraft is powered by a Rolls-Royce AE 3007N engine that generates more than 8,000lb of thrust and additional electrical power.
The AE 3007N engine is the latest member of the AE 3007 family of high-bypass turbofan engines.
Contractors involved
Boeing contracted Astronics for CorePower aircraft power distribution units and exterior lighting systems in February 2021.
Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg was selected to provide the tail-hook actuator for the MQ-25 unmanned tanker in February 2021.
In April 2019, Triumph Group received a contract to deliver critical hydraulic system components for the unmanned aerial refuelling programme. In the same month, Héroux-Devtek was contracted to provide the full landing gear system and Curtiss‑Wright’s Defense Solutions business secured an order to provide data technology systems for the MQ‑25.
Cubic Corporation’s Cubic Mission Solutions business division secured a contract from Boeing to supply a wide-band satellite communications modem system and a line-of-sight common data link system.
Cobham Mission Systems was responsible for deploying its aerial refuelling store during the test flight. Frequentis was contracted to supply its internet protocol-based voice communications system for the aircraft.
Boeing selected Rolls-Royce for the delivery of its AE 3007N engine in September 2018.
In February 2024, BAE Systems was contracted to deliver an upgrade and modernisation of the vehicle management system computer for the MQ-25. The refresh will boost processing capacity and resolve obsolescence concerns, giving the unmanned tanker a more integrated architecture that enhances performance and supports future capability expansion.
