$562 Million Contract Awarded for Next Generation Unmanned Tanker Program
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million contract for Lot 1 of the Low-Rate Initial Production of the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tanker, which includes three aircraft.
The Fixed Price Incentive contract covers the production of three aircraft, joining the other 11 already contracted for testing.
Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager (PMA-268), said 'Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams.'
The MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refueling drone that resulted from the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) program, which grew out of the earlier Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program.
The U.S. Navy plans to procure 76 MQ-25, including the Engineering Development Model aircraft and System Demonstration Test Article aircraft, which will replace the F/A-18E Super Hornets in the aerial refueling role.