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American defence prime Boeing and the US Navy have successfully completed the first test flight of an operational MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed aircraft.
The aircraft was able to successfully demonstrate autonomously taxiing, taking off, flight, landing and responding to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS) during the two-hour flight.
Boeing and US Navy Air Vehicle Pilots facilitated the mission by sending the aircraft commands and then monitored its performance from the GCS at MidAmerica St Louis Airport in Mascoutah, where the program is based.
Once airborne, the Stingray executed a pre-determined mission plan that validated its flight controls, navigation and safe integration with the GCS.
“Today’s successful flight builds on years of learning from our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a major maturation of the program,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager, Boeing Air Dominance.
“The MQ-25A is the most complex autonomous system ever developed for the carrier environment, and this historic achievement advances us closer to safely integrating the Stingray into the carrier air wing.”
The MQ-25A is considered to be the US Navy’s gateway to integrating unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, enabling manned-unmanned teaming.
Its autonomous aerial refuelling capability is expected to significantly extend the operational range of the carrier air wing and allow F/A-18 Super Hornets currently performing the aerial refuelling role to focus on their primary role as a multi-role strike fighter.
The aircraft is the first of four Engineering Development Model aircraft that will be delivered to the Navy under the original $805 million engineering and manufacturing development contract.
“The first flight of the MQ-25A is a landmark achievement for the Navy–Boeing team and a critical step toward the future of the carrier air wing,” said Rear Admiral Tony Rossi who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.
“This flight demonstrates our progress in delivering a carrier-based refuelling capability that will significantly extend the reach and lethality of our fleet.”
Boeing and the Navy will conduct additional test flights out of MidAmerica St Louis Airport to further validate the aircraft’s flight controls and capabilities before transitioning to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to prepare for carrier qualifications.
“Watching our first Navy aircraft complete an autonomous flight underscores what disciplined teamwork and rigorous testing deliver,” said Troy Rutherford, vice president, Boeing MQ-25 program.
“Today would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Boeing, Navy and industry team.
“Together, we are redefining the future of naval aviation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with autonomy.”
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