MQ-25 Stingray

2021: Use for refueling aircraft in the air

On June 7, 2021, Boeing demonstrated the first refueling of an aircraft in the air using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Lynn Caret, called this event historic and noted that it happened thanks to the joint work of the company and the US Navy.

During the tests, the MQ-25 Stingray drone extended the hose and pumped fuel to the US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter. At the same time, both aircraft were at a distance of less than seven meters from each other. Before successful refueling, 25 test flights were carried out.

The Navy is doing everything possible to provide the fleet with critical refueling capabilities for the MQ-25 as soon as possible , says Lynn Caret.  - Their work serves as a driving force for the safe and reliable integration of unmanned systems in the near future in the conduct of defense operations.

According to Defense News, after the MQ-25 is taken into service, it will begin to be used on aircraft carriers for refueling military aircraft over the sea. This is a very important mission, since, as noted in the US Navy, refueling can account for more than a third of the flight hours of Super Hornet fighters.

During the test flight, the MQ-25 successfully extended the hose and safely pumped fuel to the US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, demonstrating the ability of the MQ-25 Stingray to fulfill its main task of refueling in the air

Refueling in the air is actively used by the military, because it allows you to significantly increase the time of non-stop aircraft in the air. Therefore, various variations of it are being developed.  So, Airbus, as part of an automatic refueling system, uses the software originally developed for automatic repair satellites to control the refueling bar.

Boeing produces the MQ-25  as part of a   $805 million contract with the Pentagon.  As part of the contract , seven refueling drones will be delivered to the troops. The deadline for completing the order is August 2024.^[1]

2017: Deck drone presentation

In December 2017, Boeing introduced a deck unmanned aerial vehicle designed to refuel military aircraft. It was developed as part of the MQ-25 Stingray project.

The American giant did not disclose the technical characteristics of an unmanned fuel truck. Judging by the published photo, the aircraft is built according to the traditional aircraft scheme, although the tail stabilizers, which are likely to serve as additional wings, are very spaced apart.

Deck unmanned aerial vehicle MQ-25 Stingray

In this case, the deflected surfaces on the keels will be both height and yaw rudders. The landing gear of the drone was created three-post, and the engine air intake is located on top of the fuselage behind the gargrot. The Boeing tanker can be launched  into the air  using a catapult or carrier aircraft.

The manufacturer did not specify whether the wings and keels will be foldable, however, most likely, this will be implemented to reduce the transverse size of the device for its compact placement on the deck or in the hangar of the aircraft carrier.

According to Boeing, by December 19, 2017, the MQ-25 is undergoing tests of the propulsion system, and testing on ships is scheduled for 2018.

For pilots, refueling the aircraft  in the air  is one of  the most difficult tasks. Drones will simplify this process as much as possible. Air tankers of the previous generation demanded coherence from   the operator and pilot , and with  some  misstep, everything could end in disaster, given the huge speed of fighters.

The MQ-25 project continues the program of the American Navy (UCLASS), the purpose of which was to study the possibility of creating new unmanned reconnaissance  and attack aircraft.  In February 2016, the Pentagon decided to postpone the combat project  and turn the drone  into a tanker  with intelligence functions.^[2]