US Navy’s autonomous MQ-25A Stingray tanker moves into LRIP

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

The milestone marks a major step forward in the Navy’s commitment to unmanned carrier aviation, says the US Navy in a media release. An LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected to be awarded this summer and include priced options for Lot 2 (3 aircraft) and Lot 3 (5 aircraft).

“Unmanned refuelling extends our reach against any adversary,” stated Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. “Moving the MQ-25A Stingray to Milestone C and into production is arming our war fighters with a capability that increases the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups. This is a decisive advantage that delivers our war fighters what they need to fight and win.”

As the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-25A serves as the pathfinder for the future of unmanned carrier aviation, says the US Navy is a media release. Stingray will provide the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) with essential organic refuelling, allowing more F/A-18E/F aircraft to focus on strike missions. This will expand the operational reach of the air wing while preserving the service life of F/A-18E/Fs, improving readiness across the Super Hornet fleet. The Stingray is also at the forefront of integrating unmanned systems alongside manned platforms within the CVW, setting the stage for future advancements in naval aviation.

“Milestone C approval represents an important step for this program,” said Vice Admiral John Dougherty, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation (PAE(A)). “MQ‑25A will provide persistent aerial refuelling and unlock greater capacity across the air wing, ensuring our carrier strike groups remain lethal, flexible, and forward‑ready.”

“The aircraft is ready, production is ready, and the program is ready to move this groundbreaking capability forward, paving the way for unmanned carrier aviation and enhancing fleet capability, capacity and lethality,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager.

US Navy news article by Neil Lobeda