MQ-25A Stingray cleared for deployment, says Cao

Navy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler

The Navy’s drone tanker, the MQ-25A Stingray, is cleared for low-rate initial production—just weeks after a production-ready model took its first flight.  “MQ-25 reached Milestone C, which is huge because now we have inflight refueling that is unmanned...it's a great capability,” Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said at the end of an hourslong Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday.    The service plans to order three aircraft as part of …

Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray gets green light for low-rate initial production

A low-rate initial production contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, the Navy said.

MQ-25A Stingray cleared for deployment, says Cao

The role of the MQ-25A is intended to provide the Carrier Air Wing with unmanned refueling, freeing up F/A-18E/F aircraft to focus on strike missions.

Navy Clears MQ-25A Stingray for Production as IOC Slips to 2029

The U.S. Navy’s Boeing-built MQ-25A Stingray received Milestone C approval on Tuesday, clearing the carrier-based unmanned tanker for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) eight years after Boeing won the original $805 million development contract. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced the decision during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “MQ-25 reached Milestone C, which is huge because now we have in-flight refueling that’s unm…

Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray secures Milestone C approval

Following a successful first flight in April, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced today that the MQ-25A Stingray received Milestone C approval to move into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).