The U.S. Navy’s latest generation carrier-based unmanned refueling aircraft, the MQ-25A “Stingray”, recently completed the maiden flight of its first combat-configuration aircraft, taking a key step towards the refueling capabilities of future aircraft carrier-based aircraft formations. On April 25, the unmanned tanker aircraft manufactured by Boeing took off from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoota, Illinois, and completed a two-hour test flight over Southern Illinois.
The MQ-25A "Stingray" was originally derived from the U.S. Navy's "Unmanned Carrier Air Reconnaissance and Strike System" (UCLASS) project and is positioned to fill the gap in the aerial refueling capabilities of aircraft carriers. After the retirement of the Grumman KA-6D "Intruder" and the Lockheed S-3B "Viking", the aerial refueling mission of the aircraft carrier formation has long been undertaken by the F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet", using the so-called "partner refueling" mode, in which the fighter aircraft mounts auxiliary fuel tanks and refueling pods to refuel other fighters. Although this approach maintains the combat radius of the aircraft carrier air wing, it also means that a large number of frontline main fighters are squeezed into auxiliary tasks, and at the same time accelerates the consumption of airframe life. After the MQ-25A enters service, it is planned to release the combat potential of the F/A-18E/F through a dedicated unmanned refueling platform and extend the strike range of the carrier-based aircraft without increasing the risk to the pilot.
According to the plan, the U.S. Navy will form a fleet of 76 MQ-25A aircraft and deploy them on various types of U.S. aircraft carriers to provide aerial refueling for carrier-based fighter jets and other fixed-wing platforms. What flew for the first time this time was the first airframe produced according to combat standards. Its appearance is similar to the T1 technology demonstrator previously used for land-based tests, but it has made a number of improvements in structure and systems for actual combat.
In terms of size, the MQ-25A is consistent with the T1, with a length of about 15 meters and a wingspan of about 23 meters. Its space on the aircraft carrier deck and hangar is equivalent to that of the F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet", making it easy to integrate into the existing take-off, landing and deck scheduling system. In terms of power, the MQ-25A is equipped with a Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine with a thrust of approximately 10,000 pounds, giving the aircraft a combat radius of approximately 500 nautical miles (approximately 575 miles/926 kilometers) and can perform refueling missions at high subsonic speeds. The specific cruising speed has not been disclosed.
Compared with the technical demonstrator, the MQ-25A unveiled this time is a formal configuration that meets military combat specifications and has complete capabilities to perform actual tasks. The aircraft body adopts a new structural layout, with a mission module inside and an integrated electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret installed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, while retaining the folding wing structure to adapt to parking and lifting in the small space of the aircraft carrier. In order to adapt to catapult take-off and arrested landing, the aircraft adopts "aircraft carrier-strengthened" landing gear and body reinforcement design, and is equipped with corrosion-resistant coating required for long-term use in a ship-based environment to withstand the high salt spray environment at sea. In addition, the MQ-25A also integrates satellite communications and combat software systems to provide the basis for remote command and control and interconnection with the fleet network.
During this first flight, which was still painted in green factory primer, the MQ-25A was remotely controlled by a joint flight control team between Boeing and the U.S. Navy. A Boeing-owned TA-4J "Skyhawk" trainer aircraft and a Navy UC-12M "Huron" aircraft served as accompanying flight surveillance and pursuit support platforms. The main goals of the first flight include verifying the autonomous operation capabilities of the UAV during taxiing and take-off and landing stages on the ground, testing the stability of the flight control system, monitoring the actual performance of the Rolls-Royce engine, and checking the integration of the command and control link and avionics system.
Rear Admiral Rossi, who is in charge of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Program Executive Office, said that the first flight of the MQ-25A is a milestone achievement for the Navy and Boeing team and an important step towards the future aircraft carrier air wing. He emphasized that this flight verified the progress of the US Navy in building ship-based aerial refueling capabilities. In the future, this system will significantly increase the fleet's action radius and overall lethality.
The entire MQ-25A system will not only be regarded as an "air tanker" in the future, but is also expected to become one of the core nodes of the aircraft carrier's unmanned system. While ensuring the range of combat aircraft, it will also provide a certain degree of intelligence surveillance support and network support capabilities for the fleet. With the advancement of subsequent sea trials, shipboard take-off and landing tests, and collaborative training with active carrier-based aircraft, the MQ-25A is expected to gradually form initial combat capabilities within this decade and reshape the composition and combat model of the U.S. aircraft carrier air wing.