American unmanned carrier-based aerial refueling tanker, developed in the late 2010s, utilized for extending the combat radius of carrier air wings. Key figures: top speed 620 km/h, range 930 km, service ceiling 12,000 m, built 7.
| Length | 15.5 m (50.9 ft) |
| Wingspan | 22.9 m (75.1 ft) |
| Height | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Empty weight | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007N 44 kN each |
| Maximum speed | 620 km/h (385 mph) |
| Operational range | 930 km (578 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m (39,370 ft) |
The Boeing MQ-25 Stingray is an unmanned aerial refueling drone developed for the United States Navy under the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program. This requirement originated from the 2006 Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, which transitioned from a stealthy strike platform to an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) role before being re-designated as CBARS in 2016. Boeing was awarded an $805 million development contract for four aircraft in August 2018, with three additional test units ordered in 2020. The MQ-25 conducted its first flight on September 19, 2019.
The aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan engine providing more than 10,000 lbf of thrust. The design utilizes a wing-body-tail configuration with a V-tail and a flush inlet to reduce the radar cross-section of the engine blades. The airframe is 51.0 feet long with a 75.0-foot wingspan that folds to 31.3 feet for carrier deck handling. For refueling missions, the MQ-25 carries an externally mounted Cobham aerial refueling store. The Navy’s performance objective is the delivery of 15,000 to 16,000 lb of fuel to four to six aircraft at a range of 500 nmi. This capability is intended to extend the combat radius of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet beyond 700 nmi. Sensors include an electro-optical ball mounted under the nose.
Armament capacity consists of two under-wing hardpoints. While configured primarily for tanking, 2024 design models have demonstrated the capability to carry two AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missiles.
The U.S. Navy established the Fleet Replacement Squadron, VUQ-10, on October 1, 2022, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The squadron is responsible for testing and the development of operational procedures. On June 4, 2021, the MQ-25 completed its first aerial refueling test by transferring 325 pounds of fuel to an F/A-18F Super Hornet. Subsequent refueling tests were conducted with the E-2 and F-35C. The Navy plans to acquire 72 to 76 aircraft at an estimated program cost of $13 billion. Two operational units, VUQ-11 and VUQ-12, are planned for future activation. The first production-representative MQ-25A flew in April 2026, the programme received Milestone C approval for low-rate initial production in May 2026, and initial operational capability is now planned for February 2029.
The carrier's Unmanned Air Warfare Center became fully operational in March 2026, making CVN-71 the first ship able to control the Boeing MQ-25A at sea. The tanker drone itself is not due to reach initial operational capability until February 2029, five years later than first planned.
