U.S. Navy Continues MQ-25A Stingray Refueling Drone Development to Improve Carrier Air Wing Capabilities.

The U.S. Navy is advancing the development of its MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft with a new contract worth up to $80 million awarded to Boeing. The agreement covers aircraft system improvements, configuration development, integration, production readiness, and sustainment, supporting the Navy's efforts to introduce unmanned aerial refueling aboard aircraft carriers and extend the operational range of carrier-based combat aircraft.

The Boeing MQ-25A Stingray is a U.S. Navy carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft designed to extend carrier air wings' operational range while freeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters from tanker missions. The aircraft is intended to deliver up to 15,000 pounds of fuel from 500 nautical miles from an aircraft carrier. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense)

The MQ-25A Stingray is designed to refuel U.S. Navy combat aircraft in flight, reducing the dependence on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters currently assigned to aerial refueling missions. By transferring this role to an unmanned aircraft, the Navy intends to free up more Super Hornets for combat operations while increasing the endurance and operational reach of carrier air wings.

According to a contract announcement published by the U.S. Department of War on October 16, 2026, Boeing, based in St. Louis, Missouri, received a not-to-exceed $80 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to continue developing and integrating MQ-25A aircraft system configurations. The agreement includes cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-no-fee provisions, with work scheduled in St. Louis through October 2031. The contract is intended to maintain and improve MQ-25A capabilities as the Navy continues development, testing, and preparation for operational service. It does not represent an additional aircraft production order but provides a contracting mechanism for engineering changes, system integration, and sustainment activities.

Related Topic: USS Ronald Reagan becomes second U.S. aircraft carrier ready for MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tanker operations

The Boeing MQ-25A Stingray marks a major shift in U.S. naval aviation, as the Navy develops it as its first operational carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. Unlike traditional carrier-based combat aircraft, which require pilots aboard, the Stingray is designed to conduct aerial refueling missions under the supervision of personnel operating its mission control system. Its introduction will require the Navy to integrate unmanned flight operations with existing aircraft carrier launch, recovery, deck handling, and air traffic management procedures.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce AE3700N turbofan engine, the MQ-25A features a carrier-compatible design with folding wings to facilitate storage and movement aboard aircraft carriers. The aircraft measures about 15.5 m long and has a 22.9 m wingspan when extended. Its primary mission is to provide organic aerial refueling support to carrier air wings operating far from their ships. The U.S. Navy requires it to deliver about 15,000 pounds of fuel at 500 nautical miles from the aircraft carrier, increasing the potential operating radius of carrier-based fighters.

The aircraft's operational significance is particularly important in maritime environments where U.S. aircraft carriers could face long-range anti-ship missile threats. Extending the reach of carrier-based combat aircraft would give naval commanders more options to position ships farther from potential threats while maintaining the ability to conduct air operations over distant areas. The MQ-25A could therefore improve the survivability and operational flexibility of carrier strike groups facing long-range anti-ship missile threats.

The MQ-25A Stingray is also expected to reduce the burden placed on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet. Under current carrier air wing operations, some Super Hornets carry external fuel tanks and refueling equipment to support other aircraft. Assigning these missions to the MQ-25A would let more of the available Super Hornet inventory perform fighter, strike, and other combat missions. Reducing the number of fighter sorties dedicated to aerial refueling could also help preserve aircraft service life, limit maintenance demands, and improve overall carrier air wing readiness.

The program has already completed several important technical demonstrations. In 2021, Boeing's MQ-25 T1 test aircraft successfully conducted aerial refueling operations with an F/A-18 Super Hornet, an F-35C Lightning II, and an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. These demonstrations established the aircraft's ability to transfer fuel to different types of naval aircraft, although they did not constitute operational deployment of the production-standard MQ-25A. The Navy also conducted an unmanned carrier aviation demonstration aboard USS George H.W. Bush in December 2021, helping evaluate technologies and procedures required to integrate unmanned aviation into carrier operations.

The latest contract follows a significant production milestone reached on September 14, 2026, when the U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a $562 million contract for the first low-rate initial production batch of three MQ-25A aircraft. The agreement also included advance procurement of long-lead components for another three aircraft planned under a subsequent production lot. Initial deliveries from the first production batch are expected to begin in 2029. According to Boeing, the September production award brought the number of MQ-25A aircraft under contract to 14, including development and production aircraft.

The U.S. Navy's overall MQ-25A program of record encompasses 76 air vehicles, including engineering development and manufacturing aircraft and system demonstration test articles. The Navy authorized the program to enter production and deployment after Milestone C approval in May 2026, marking an important transition beyond engineering development. However, continued engineering, flight testing, and configuration management remain essential as the aircraft moves toward operational service, while future procurement will remain subject to program performance and funding decisions.

The October contract will support continued technical refinement as the MQ-25A moves toward operational deployment. The unmanned aircraft must operate alongside carrier-based fighters and airborne early warning aircraft while integrating with the Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System. The agreement also keeps Boeing's engineering support in St. Louis, though it has not identified specific subsystems scheduled for improvement.

The $80 million contract ceiling does not mean that the entire amount has been immediately committed or spent. Under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity arrangement, individual orders will determine the work performed and associated funding. According to the contract announcement, no funds were obligated at the time of award, and the agreement was not competitively procured. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, is responsible for contract administration.

The MQ-25A's broader military importance extends beyond aerial refueling. The program is also intended to establish procedures, control technologies, and operational experience for integrating unmanned aircraft into U.S. Navy carrier air wings. Experience gained through the Stingray could inform future naval unmanned aircraft programs, including systems designed to support intelligence collection, surveillance, electronic warfare, and combat missions.

For the U.S. Navy, continued development of the MQ-25A is closely connected to efforts to increase the operational reach, flexibility, and effectiveness of carrier-based aviation. The latest $80 million Boeing contract supports the technical improvements needed as the Stingray transitions toward operational service. Its operational value will ultimately depend on successful carrier integration and production deliveries, but the program is intended to give U.S. carrier air wings greater reach while returning more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to fighter and strike missions.

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Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.