Regan Brown
The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refuelling drone and the US Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25's primary mission is to extend the range of the carrier air wing by providing unmanned aerial refuelling capabilities. The Navy's goal for the aircraft is to deliver 15,000 pounds of fuel to 4-6 airplanes at a range of 500 nautical miles. The MQ-25's large internal volume for fuel is estimated to be around 18,500 pounds, and it can also be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Type | Aerial Refueling Drone |
| Aircraft Model | MQ-25 Stingray |
| Engine | Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine |
| Engine Trust | 10,000 lbf (44 kN) |
| Fuel Capacity | Unknown, estimated at 17,300-18,500 pounds |
| Refueling Capacity | 14,000-16,000 pounds |
| Range | 500 NM (926 km) |
| Speed | 375 miles per hour |
| Endurance | 16 hours |
| Unrefueled Range | 5,500-6,000 miles |
| Secondary Mission | Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) |
| Manufactured By | Boeing |
| Operator | U.S. Navy |
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What You'll Learn
The MQ-25's fuel capacity
The MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refuelling drone and the U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. Its primary mission is to extend the range of the carrier air wing by providing unmanned aerial refuelling capabilities.
The MQ-25 is designed to offload 14,000-16,000 lb of fuel to 4-6 airplanes at a range of 500 nautical miles. This would enable two F-35s to operate around 1,000 nautical miles from the carrier.
The MQ-25 has a large internal volume for fuel. It is powered by one Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine delivering 10,000 lbf of thrust. Using a fuel burn rate of 1,200 pounds per hour, the MQ-25's endurance is estimated to be nearly 16 hours while in cruise. Flying at 375 miles per hour, this translates to an unrefuelled range of nearly 6,000 miles.
The MQ-25's first refuelling test was conducted on 4 June 2021, where it provided fuel to an F/A-18F Super Hornet. The mission lasted about 4.5 hours, with 325 pounds of fuel transferred in total.
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The MQ-25's range
The MQ-25 Stingray is the U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. Its primary mission is to extend the range of the carrier air wing by providing unmanned aerial refueling capabilities. The MQ-25 is designed to offload 14,000-16,000 lb of fuel to a range of 500 miles, or nautical miles. This capability will extend the combat range of deployed aircraft such as the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters.
The MQ-25's large internal volume for fuel can be partially sacrificed to embed sensors and other capabilities within its form factor. Conformal radar arrays, for example, could provide traditional radar functions as well as electronic attack and long-range communications capabilities.
The MQ-25 is currently in the testing and development phase, with the first refueling test conducted in June 2021. The MQ-25 provided fuel to an F/A-18F Super Hornet, with 325 pounds of fuel transferred in total during numerous dry and wet connects. The MQ-25 is expected to be a key component of the U.S. Navy's carrier air wings in the coming decade, with plans to have more drones than manned aircraft.
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The MQ-25's refueling capabilities
The MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refuelling drone designed to provide the U.S. Navy with a much-needed refuelling capability. It is the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. Its primary mission is to extend the range of the carrier air wing by providing unmanned aerial refuelling capabilities.
The MQ-25's unprecedented endurance outside of the tanking mission is remarkable for a carrier-based aircraft. It is designed to offload 14,000-16,000 lb of fuel to 4-6 airplanes at a range of 500 nautical miles. This capability will enable two F-35s to operate around 1,000 nautical miles from the carrier.
The MQ-25 has a large internal volume for fuel. On its first refuelling test on 4 June 2021, the MQ-25 transferred a total of 325 lb of fuel to an F/A-18F Super Hornet. The mission lasted about 4.5 hours, with the two aircraft performing numerous dry or wet connects for more than 10 minutes.
The MQ-25 is powered by one Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine delivering 10,000 lbf of thrust. This engine is a variant of the one used to power the Navy's MQ-4C Triton. The MQ-25's slender straight wing and streamlined fuselage contribute to its endurance capabilities.
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The MQ-25's design
The MQ-25 Stingray is the U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25's design is powered by one Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine delivering 10,000 lbf (44 kN) of thrust. This is a variant of the engine used to power the Navy's MQ-4C Triton. Although the aircraft is less stealthy than flying wing UAVs, it features a stealthy fuselage shaping, a flush inlet to shield engine blades from radar, and a V-tail. The MQ-25 T1 test asset was successfully integrated into the carrier environment in 2021, where a demonstration aboard the USS George H.W. Bush confirmed the functionality, capability, and handling qualities of the unmanned aircraft's deck handling system.
The MQ-25 Stingray is designed to operate from aircraft carriers, with its primary mission being to extend the range of the carrier air wing by providing unmanned aerial refuelling capabilities. It can deliver 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of fuel in total to 4 to 6 airplanes at a range of 500 nmi (580 mi; 930 km). The MQ-25 became the first unmanned aircraft in history to refuel another aircraft when it refuelled three carrier-based aircraft: an F/A-18 Super Hornet, an E-2D Hawkeye, and an F-35C Lightning II.
The U.S. Navy established Unmanned Carrier Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 (VUQ-10) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, as the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the MQ-25 on 1 October 2022. The unit is working on testing and development procedures for the MQ-25 and will eventually move to Naval Air Station Point Mugu at Naval Base Ventura County.
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The MQ-25's cost
The MQ-25s cost for the US Navy is $136 million each, with an $805 million development contract awarded for four MQ-25A aircraft to be completed by August 2024. The MQ-25 is designed to provide the US Navy with a much-needed refueling capability, allowing for better use of combat strike fighters by extending the range of deployed aircraft.
The MQ-25's very long endurance outside of its tanking mission is unprecedented for a carrier-based aircraft, and its impact could be far-reaching. It is designed to offload 14,000-16,000 lbs of fuel to a range of 500 miles, with a secondary mission of gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The MQ-25 will also seamlessly integrate with a carrier's catapult and launch and recovery systems.
The MQ-25 is expected to have a high upfront cost but lower operational costs over time, making it a potentially cost-effective option for the US Navy. The unit cost will likely decrease as more MQ-25s are produced. The MQ-25's combination of refueling capabilities, autonomy, and seamless carrier deck integration make it a valuable asset for the US Navy's goals.
The MQ-25 T1 test asset, which first flew in 2019, accumulated approximately 125 hours in the air, helping to accelerate the team's understanding of the aircraft's performance and design decisions. The MQ-25 Engineering Development Model (EDM) aircraft are currently in production, with the first refueling test conducted in June 2021, transferring a total of 325 pounds of fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is designed to offload 14,000-16,000 lb of fuel and has a range of 500 miles. It is estimated that the MQ-25's internal fuel load is around 18,500 lb.
The MQ-25 is an unmanned aerial refueler, designed to extend the range of carrier-based aircraft. Its secondary mission is to gather intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The MQ-25 first flew on 19 September 2019.
The MQ-25 is reported to cost $136 million each.
