Through the release of a short video on its official social media channels, U.S. company Boeing announced that it has completed the first ground tests of the new MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone that will equip the U.S. Navy, representing an important step forward after various delays affecting the program. According to the description accompanying the footage, the test consisted of low-speed ground maneuvers carried out autonomously by the platform on the runway, providing an initial validation of its capabilities ahead of what is expected to be a first flight test in the near future.
In statements provided to the specialized outlet The Warzone, the company referred to the milestone as follows: “The U.S. Navy’s first MQ-25A Stingray is in the final phase of ground testing and completed its first taxi test yesterday. Boeing and the Navy will now conduct additional taxi tests and then complete systems-level testing, as well as review and approve the final airworthiness artifacts required for flight clearance. Once that is complete and we have an appropriate weather window, the aircraft can fly.”
Expanding on some relevant details, the activities were carried out during the month of January at the company’s facilities at MidAmerica Airport, located in the state of Missouri. In addition, NAVAIR noted that this was accomplished with the presence of personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons 23 (VX-23) and 24 (UX-24), the latter being a unit specialized in testing unmanned aerial systems.
It is also worth noting that the new images released by Boeing allowed a closer look at the novel air intake integrated into the design, as well as the engine exhaust—both aspects of particular interest to analysts seeking to determine the degree of stealth the platform will ultimately possess. In addition, the video offered a glimpse of the retractable dome housing advanced sensors installed on the underside of the nose, which could indicate the presence of elements such as electro-optical cameras, laser designators, and other similar systems. If so, the MQ-25 could potentially serve not only as a tanker, but also as part of a surveillance network for ISR missions.
On the other hand, returning to the delays affecting the program referenced above, it should be noted that the U.S. Navy had intended to conduct these ground tests (and the first flights) during 2025. In the words of Vice Admiral Daniel Cheever in January of last year: “We’ll fly that platform in 2025, put it on a carrier in 2026, and begin integrating it.” As of today, it is clear that this has not yet been achieved, despite being a necessary set of steps to reach the Initial Operational Capability sought for 2027—a date already delayed from the originally established target year (2024).
Finally, it is useful to mention that the service is seeking to acquire some 76 new drones of this type, aiming to strengthen its aerial refueling capacity. These tasks are currently performed in part by F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters equipped with additional fuel tanks, which means committing combat aircraft to missions for which they were not originally designed, with the inevitable impact this has on airframe wear. In addition, the U.S. Navy hopes to chart a broader horizon for unmanned platforms with the induction of the MQ-25, in line with plans to have up to 60% drones within its carrier air wings.
Image credits: Boeing
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