The U.S. Navy’s first carrier-based uncrewed aircraft system has successfully completed its first test flight at a Boeing facility in Illinois.
As per a press statement from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) an uncrewed MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed air system (UAS) flew for two hours and successfully landed after taking off from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. The platform is primarily designed to serve as an aerial refuelling tanker for the Carrier Air Wing, but can also be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
While in the air on Saturday, the system was controlled from an MD-5 ground control station via Lockheed Martin’s MDCX system. Pilots from both Boeing and the U.S. Navy checked the aircraft’s basic flight controls, engine performance, and handling characteristics via a series of manoeuvres.
Rear Admiral Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, commented: “The MQ-25A is not just an aircraft: it’s the first step in integrating unmanned aerial refueling onto the carrier deck, directly enabling our manned fighters to fly further and faster. This capability is vital to the future of naval aviation.”
“I am incredibly proud of the team for working tirelessly over the last several months to achieve this milestone,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation programme manager.
“The successful first flight officially initiates the rigorous flight test program, which will focus on expanding the aircraft’s performance envelope and verifying all mission systems.”
The UAS was powered by a Rolls Royce AE 3007N engine, part of the British manufacturer’s AE engine family. The firm’s Director of U.S. Mature Programs, Defense Meagan Rater commented: “We are honoured the U.S. Navy has, once again, put its trust in our proven, reliable family of high-performance AE engines for this critical new unmanned platform.
“We continue to work closely with the U.S. Navy and Boeing to make the MQ-25A a reality for our service members, giving them a key strategic advantage in contested environments.”
The British firm will supply an additional four engines to the programme during the course of this year; the full Stingray programme is earmarked to eventually produce 76 UAS.
Further flights are planned by the MQ-25A integrated test team to expand and verify the systems flight envelope and performance ahead of its scheduled transferral to Naval Air Station Patuxent River flight test centre in Maryland later this year.
- You can read more details on the NAVAIR website and the Rolls Royce website