| MQ-25 Stingray | |
|---|---|
.jpg) MQ-25 Stingray during testing | |
| General information | |
| Type | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle for aerial refueling |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | In development |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| History | |
| First flight | 19 September 2019 |
TheBoeing MQ-25 Stingray is anaerial refuelingdrone that resulted from the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program, which grew out of the earlierUnmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. On 30 August 2018, theUnited States Navy announced Boeing's MQ-25 was the winning selection of the CBARS selection competition. The MQ-25 first flew on 19 September 2019.
The Navy established Unmanned Carrier Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 (VUQ-10) atNaval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, on 1 October 2022, where its four MQ-25s are being used fortesting and development of maintenance and operations procedures. Two operational units, VUQ-11 and VUQ-12, are planned to be established at later dates.
TheUnited States Navy began its efforts to develop anaircraft carrier-based UAV in 2006. The original UCLASS concept was for a stealthy strike platform capable of penetrating enemy air defenses. In 2012, lethality and strike requirements were diluted in order to create anintelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)-oriented aircraft that could be developed quickly to conduct low-intensitycounter-terrorism missions.[1]
On 1 February 2016, after delays over whether the UCLASS would specialize in strike or ISR roles, it was reported that significant priority would be given to producing aSuper Hornet-sized carrier-basedaerial refueling tanker as the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS), with "a little ISR" and some capabilities for communications relay, and strike capabilities put off to a future variant.[2] The Pentagon apparently made this program change to address the Navy's expected fighter shortfall by directing funds to buy more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and accelerate purchases of theF-35C. Having the CBARS as the first carrier-based UAV provides a less complex bridge to the futureF/A-XX, should it be an unmanned strike platform. It also addresses the carriers' need for an organic refueling aircraft, proposed for the UCLASS since 2014, freeing up the 20–30 percent of Super Hornets performing the mission in a more capable and cost effective manner than modifying the F-35,V-22 Osprey, andE-2D Hawkeye, or returning the retiredS-3 Viking to service.[2][3][4]
Four development contracts were issued in 2016, with a formal RFP expected in 2017, with operational status in the early to mid-2020s.[5][6] In July 2016, it was officially named "MQ-25A Stingray" after being named RAQ-25A previously.[7]
Rear Adm. Michael Manazir has suggested that three of these UCAVs could fly with an F-35 for refueling and sensor operation.[8] Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said that the MQ-25 can extend the Super Hornet's 450 nmi (520 mi; 830 km) unrefueledcombat radius to beyond 700 nmi (810 mi; 1,300 km). The Navy's goal for the aircraft is to be able to deliver 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of fuel total to 4 to 6 airplanes at a range of 500 nmi (580 mi; 930 km).[9] The Navy released the final MQ-25 Stingray request for proposals in October 2017 toLockheed Martin, Boeing,Northrop Grumman, andGeneral Atomics.[10]
Boeing secretly finished building its wing-body-tail in 2014 when the UCLASS program was paused, and revived it for the CBARS mission.[11] On 19 December 2017, Boeing unveiled itsprototype aircraft entrant that incorporated lessons learned from theBoeing Phantom Ray flying wing and its other unmanned aerial systems.[12] Boeing's MQ-25 design is not new for the tanking mission, but Boeing says that was considered when designing it.[11]
General Atomics proposed theirSea Avenger concept which was enlarged from itsPredator-C/Avenger for refueling,[13] whileLockheed Martin proposed theirSea Ghost concept based on theRQ-170 Sentinel.[14]
Northrop Grumman announced on 25 October 2017 that it was withdrawing itsX-47B from the MQ-25 competition, saying the company would have been unable to execute the program under the terms of the service's request for proposals.[15] The company's departure signaled to some analysts that the Navy's requirements could favor wing-body-tail designs, not the flying wings thought to be proposed by Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.[12]
On 30 August 2018, the U.S. Navy announced Boeing as the winner of the competition and awarded an $805 million development contract for four MQ-25A aircraft to be completed by August 2024.[1] An additional three test MQ-25As were ordered on 2 April 2020 for a current total order of seven.[16] The program may expand to $13 billion overall and consist of 72 aircraft.[17]
In late April 2019, the first MQ-25 test aircraft (T-1 or "Tail 1") was taken by road from Boeing's technical plant atSt. Louis'sLambert International Airport across the Mississippi River toMidAmerica St. Louis Airport, which is conjoined toScott Air Force Base.[18] Following taxi tests, theFederal Aviation Administration certified the aircraft and granted airspace for flight testing. The MQ-25 took its first flight on 19 September 2019.[19]
In December 2020, Boeing released video showing the first flight of the MQ-25 with aCobham aerial refueling store externally mounted.[20]
On 4 June 2021, the first refueling test was conducted, with the MQ-25 providing fuel to anF/A-18F Super Hornet. The MQ-25 originated atMidAmerica Airport inMascoutah, Illinois, with support byAir Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-23. The mission lasted about 4.5 hours with the two aircraft performing numerous dry or wet connects for more than 10 minutes and 325 pounds of fuel transferred in total.[21] Further refueling tests were performed with E-2 and F-35C.[22]
Boeing's MQ-25 design is powered by oneRolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine delivering 10,000 lbf (44 kN) of thrust; this is a variant of the engine used to power the Navy'sMQ-4C Triton.[23][24] Although the aircraft is less stealthy thanflying wing UAVs, it does feature a stealthy fuselage shaping,flush inlet to shield engine blades from radar, and aV-tail.
Images of an MQ-25 model released in April 2024 showedAGM-158C LRASManti-ship missiles on the underwing hardpoints. The model also showed anelectro-optical sensor ball under the nose in front of the forward landing gear.[25]
In 2020[update], the U.S. Navy planned to establish Unmanned Carrier Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 (VUQ-10) in October 2021 with four aircraft atNaval Base Ventura County, which includesNaval Air Station Point Mugu.[26][27][28] The Navy established VUQ-10 atNaval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, as theFleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the MQ-25 on 1 October 2022. The unit is working on testing and development of maintenance and operations procedures for the MQ-25. The unit is to eventually move toNaval Air Station Point Mugu atNaval Base Ventura County.[29]
Data from NAVAIR[31] andUSN MQ-25A Basing Draft Environmental Assessment[32]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Media related toBoeing MQ-25 at Wikimedia Commons
