JakartaHerald.com - With the delivery of the first MQ-25 Stingray for evaluation, the US Navy is one step closer to overcoming the refueling challenges of its tactical fighter aircraft such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-35 in the Pacific theater.
Boeing announced that they have handed over the first MQ-25 Stingray to the US Navy for evaluation, as revealed by the company on February 21st.
This unmanned aircraft, praised as the world's leading carrier-based operational vehicle, has the capability for air-to-air refueling in addition to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The US Navy plans to deploy a fleet of MQ-25 drones, adding to the existing Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets, Boeing EA-18G Growlers, and Lockheed Martin F-35Cs to strengthen the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG). Boeing's announcement, previously posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, emphasizes that the delivered aircraft body will undergo "rigorous aircraft body integrity evaluations" now. "Once operational, [MQ-25] will expand the reach and capabilities of the [US Navy's] air wing," added Boeing.
The journey of delivering the MQ-25 Stingray started in 2018 when Boeing secured an $805 million contract to build the first four MQ-25 Stingrays, beating competitors like General Atomics and Lockheed Martin.
Subsequently, in 2020, the Navy executed an $84.7 million contract for the procurement of three additional drones, with plans to build a fleet of 76 units worth $1.3 billion.
In a significant development in 2021, the MQ-25 T1 test asset successfully integrated into the carrier environment during demonstrations aboard the USS George HW Bush (CVN-77). These crucial tests validated the functionality, capabilities, and quality of the unmanned aircraft deck handling system, paving the way for further progress.
In September 2023, Boeing presented its first pre-production MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone. At that time, the company revealed that the showcased MQ-25 in the released footage was the first of nine units scheduled for static testing. After completion of the static testing phase, the drone is scheduled to proceed to fatigue testing, according to the company.
This phase requires the aircraft body to undergo additional stress tests to identify the formation of microscopic cracks and determine when these cracks reach critical size.
These tests serve as crucial benchmarks to ensure airworthiness before commencing full flight tests with pre-production models and evaluate the aircraft's long-term resilience. The anticipated Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-25 was previously set for 2025. However, in April 2023, it was postponed to 2026 due to construction delays.
As the MQ-25 Stingray drone becomes operational, it will play a crucial role in providing refueling support to the Navy's carrier air wings.
Equipped with a 15,000-pound fuel capacity ready to be dispensed within a range of 500 nautical miles, the MQ-25 emerges as a transformative asset capable of significantly expanding the operational range of tactical fighter aircraft like the Super Hornet and F-35C.
This remarkable capability has not gone unnoticed by Chinese military professionals, as it is seen as a potential game-changer in the context of Pacific theater operations. The significance of the MQ-25's capability lies in its capacity to address inherent challenges posed by vast distances in the Pacific region. By effectively doubling the range of tactical fighter aircraft, the MQ-25 presents a strategic advantage that can reshape the dynamics of air operations in the area.
This specialized tanker aircraft capability will enable F/A-18E/F jets serving as tankers to focus on their primary missions, thus enhancing the combat capabilities of strike fighter squadrons and freeing up the Super Hornet fleet. Additionally, the MQ-25 is expected to be an integral part of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for the Navy.
There is a joint effort in the US Navy to increase the presence of unmanned aircraft on carriers, with projections indicating a dominance of unmanned compositions on carrier air wings in the coming decade.
Collaboration and control of carrier-based drones are also essential for the Navy's future F/A-XX generation carrier-based fighter aircraft program.
Therefore, the MQ-25 represents a significant step towards the establishment of regular drone transport operations.
Most of the operational procedures, commands, and controls developed through the MQ-25 program will transition to higher-performing carrier-based drone aircraft programs. According to the service, "MQ-25 consists of two main segments: The MQ-25 Air System (aircraft vehicle), and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS), a necessary system for carrier integration as well as carrier command and control of the aircraft vehicle and MQ-25 payloads."
The US Navy's plan indicates that all Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers will eventually be equipped to operate MQ-25.
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