AssetID: 55662932
Headline: US Navy tests unmanned Stingray jet that can refuel fighters mid-air
Caption: A futuristic pilotless jet designed to refuel fighter aircraft mid-air has taken a major step towards deployment after completing its first full test flight. The unmanned MQ-25A Stingray, developed by Boeing for the U.S. Navy, successfully flew for two hours in a landmark mission that signals a new chapter for naval aviation. During the two-hour mission, the drone aircraft showed it could taxi, take off, fly and land on its own – all while responding to commands from operators on the ground. Controllers monitored the flight from a ground station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Illinois, where the programme is based, sending instructions and tracking the jet’s performance in real time. Once airborne, the Stingray carried out a pre-planned route to test its flight systems, navigation and ability to safely work alongside the control system. Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Air Dominance, said: "Today's successful flight builds on years of learning from our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a major maturation of the program. "The MQ-25A is the most complex autonomous system ever developed for the carrier environment, and this historic achievement advances us closer to safely integrating the Stingray into the carrier air wing." The MQ-25A is designed to refuel other aircraft mid-air – a job currently handled by F/A-18 Super Hornets. By taking over that role, the Navy says it will free up those fighter jets to focus on combat missions, while also extending the range of its carrier-based aircraft. Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees unmanned aviation programmes for the Navy, described the flight as a “landmark achievement”. He said: "The first flight of the MQ-25A is a landmark achievement for the Navy-Boeing team and a critical step toward the future of the carrier air wing. "This flight demonstrates our progress in delivering a carrier-based refueling capability that will significantly extend the reach and lethality of our fleet." The Stingray is also seen as a key step toward integrating unmanned aircraft onto carrier decks, allowing them to operate alongside traditional piloted jets. The aircraft tested is the first of four development models due to be delivered under an $805 million contract. Troy Rutherford, vice president of Boeing’s MQ-25 programme, said the flight was the result of years of teamwork and testing. He said: "Watching our first Navy aircraft complete an autonomous flight underscores what disciplined teamwork and rigorous testing deliver. "Today would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Boeing, Navy, and industry team. Together, we are redefining the future of naval aviation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with autonomy." Further test flights are now planned in Illinois to continue assessing the aircraft’s performance before it moves to a naval air station in Maryland for carrier-based trials.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,MQ-25A Stingray, Boeing, US Navy, unmanned aircraft, drone jet, autonomous flight, aerial refuelling, carrier aviation, military technology, test flight
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