{"id":29533,"date":"2020-07-24T13:12:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T13:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/07\/24\/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:22:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:22:59","slug":"boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2020\/07\/24\/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing preps for next test of US Navy\u2019s future aerial tanker drone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Navy\u2019s aircraft carrier-borne tanker drone, the MQ-25 Stingray<\/a>, is preparing to head into the fall resuming test flights, this time with the crucial fuel store pod attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The store pod \u2014 the same one integrated into the Navy\u2019s stalwart F\/A-18 Super Hornet for aerial refueling \u2014 was recently integrated into the MQ-25 <\/a>test article under the wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we resume flight testing later this year, we\u2019ll have the opportunity to gather test points about the aerodynamics of that pod and the software commands that control it \u2014 all happening well before we deliver the Navy\u2019s first MQ-25 jet with the same pod,\u201d MQ-25 program director Dave Bujold said in a statement from the aircraft\u2019s manufacturer, Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat early testing and early software development is a big part of supporting the Navy\u2019s goal to get MQ-25 to the fleet as quickly as possible,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The engineers will primarily observe the aerodynamics of the pod mounted on the Stingray test article, then seeing how the hose and drogue behave while being dragged behind the airframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Aerial Refueling Store being installed on the MQ-25 T1 test article. Flights are scheduled to resume later this year. (Image Courtesy of Boeing.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Possible delays<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June, Defense News reported that the MQ-25 could face a three-year testing delay if it doesn\u2019t get its designated test ships through the required modernizations on time, a possibility the Navy said was remote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two carriers \u2014 Carl Vinson and George H.W. Bush \u2014 have limited windows to complete the installation of unmanned aircraft control stations, and if operational commitments intervene, the program could experience significant problems, according to Navy officials and a government watchdog report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProgram officials stated that, among other things, the Navy\u2019s potential inability to maintain its schedule commitments could require modifications to the contract that would impact the fixed-price terms,\u201d the Government Accountability Office reported. \u201cSpecifically, the Navy faces limited flexibility to install MQ-25 control centers on aircraft carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf the Navy misses any of its planned installation windows, the program would have to extend MQ-25 development testing by up to 3 years. According to officials, such a delay could necessitate a delay to initial capability and result in a cost increase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy\u2019s MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling drone took its first flight Sept. 19, a historic step toward integrating an unmanned aircraft into the service\u2019s powerful strike arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy officials say a three-year delay is \u201cextremely unlikely\u201d; however, the Navy has struggled in recent years to balance its modernization schedules with operational commitments, a problem that its \u201cOptimized Fleet Response Plan\u201d deployment rotation scheme was supposed to address. Ultimately, a delay would further push back the Navy\u2019s ability to extend its carrier air wing\u2019s range through unmanned tanking, critical to keeping the service\u2019s powerful strike arm relevant against long-range guided munitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The MQ-25 Stingray will resume test flights later this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":53127,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":16,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[7,160,12,16,36,26,164],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3361],"class_list":["post-29533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air","category-daily-news-roundup","category-industry","category-naval","category-newsletters","category-training-sim","category-training-simulation-report"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"THWINW5W75GZ7ABYZKZX3H6TUA","arc_canonical_url":"\/naval\/2020\/07\/24\/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\nBoeing preps for next test of US Navy\u2019s future aerial tanker drone - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The MQ-25 Stingray will resume test flights later this year.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2020\/07\/24\/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Boeing preps for next test of US Navy\u2019s future aerial tanker drone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The MQ-25 Stingray will resume test flights later this year.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2020\/07\/24\/boeing-preparing-for-the-next-big-step-testing-the-us-navys-new-aerial-tanker-drone\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Defense News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-07-24T13:12:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-07T22:22:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David B. 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