MQ-25 Stingray (carrier-based tanker drone)

Main article: Unmanned aerial vehicle (drone, UAV)

2021: Use to refuel aircraft in the air

On June 7, 2021, Boeing demonstrated the first aerial refueling of the aircraft 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 advanced 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 the successful refueling, 25 test flights were conducted.

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

As noted by Defense News, after the MQ-25 is put into service, it will begin to be used on aircraft carriers to refuel 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 advanced the hose and safely pumped fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, demonstrating the MQ-25 Stingray's ability to perform its primary aerial refueling mission

Air refueling is actively used by the military, because it allows a significant increase in the non-stop time of aircraft in the air. Therefore, various variations of it are being developed. Thus, Airbus, as part of an automatic refueling system, uses software that was originally developed for automatic repair satellites to control the refueling rod.

Boeing produces 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 the order is August 2024.^[1]

2017: Deck Drone Presentation

In December 2017, Boeing introduced a carrier-based 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 the unmanned tanker. Judging by the published photo, the aircraft is built according to the traditional aircraft scheme, although the tail fins, which are likely to serve as additional wings, are strongly spaced to the sides.

MQ-25 Stingray deck unmanned aerial vehicle

In this case, the deflectable surfaces on the keels will be simultaneously rudders of height and yaw. The landing gear of the drone was created by a three-strut, and the air intake of the engine is located on top of the fuselage behind the gargroth. A Boeing tanker can be launched into the air using a catapult or a carrier plane.

The manufacturer did not specify whether the wings and keels will be foldable, however, most likely, this will be implemented to reduce the transverse dimensions of the device for its compact placement in the parking lot 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 that the operator and the pilot be coordinated , and with some oversight, everything could end in disaster, given the huge speed of the fighters.

The MQ-25 project continues the US Navy's (UCLASS) program, which aimed to explore the possibility of creating new unmanned reconnaissance and strike aircraft. In February 2016, the Pentagon decided to postpone the combat project and turn the drone into a tanker with reconnaissance functions.^[2]