The U.S. Navy’s first production MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial refueler completed its maiden flight on April 25, 2026, advancing carrier-based unmanned operations. This success follows an aborted takeoff attempt on April 22 and shifts the program from ground testing to full flight trials.
The flight marks a pivotal step for the Navy’s Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System, easing the refueling burden on F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and extending carrier air wing range and endurance. Nine production aircraft will support testing toward Initial Operational Capability in fiscal year 2027.
Pre-flight preparations included extensive ground validation: autonomous high- and low-speed taxi trials at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, structural testing, engine runs, flight-certified software integration, and commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System.
Earlier delays pushed the timeline from late 2025 to early 2026 due to certification hurdles, despite a new $200 million production facility in Illinois. The Stingray also enables secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles via retractable EO/IR sensors, SIGINT, and AIS equipment during carrier missions.
This trailblazing integration of unmanned systems at scale reshapes naval aviation strategy, enhancing operational flexibility without risking pilots.