Boeing Tests Software for Crewed Control of MQ-25A Stingray Tanker
Boeing has made progress in testing software designed to allow crewed aircraft, like the F/A-18 Super Hornet, to control the unmanned MQ-25A Stingray tanker and coordinate aerial refueling over the Link 16 military communications network. The testing, conducted during the Emerald Flag exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, involved installing the software on a Beechcraft 1900D and an E90 King Air, with test pilots successfully demonstrating command and control between the aircraft in flight.
The Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) software uses open-architecture messaging over Link 16 to enable autonomous coordination between the MQ-25A Stingray and crewed aircraft. According to Kayla Stice, MQ-25 Advanced Design program manager, integrating this software into the MQ-25A will turn the tanker into a force-multiplier, streamlining refueling operations and expanding mission reach. The flight test demonstrated the communications capability on crewed aircraft ahead of its planned integration into the MQ-25A.
Boeing developed the software in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, involving personnel from its Phantom Works, MQ-25, F/A-18, and F-22 programs. The design is platform-agnostic, allowing for potential use across multiple Navy and Air Force aircraft. The company plans to introduce the capability first on the MQ-25A and Super Hornet once fully tested and evaluated. Mark Dunn, MQ-25 Avionics Integrated Product Team lead, noted that embedding this software into the MQ-25A will improve tanker responsiveness, reduce logistical friction, and multiply the carrier strike group’s operational tempo.
The MQ-25A Stingray was developed to extend the range, endurance, and flexibility of the U.S. Navy’s carrier air wings. The program reached a milestone when Boeing’s MQ-25 T1 test aircraft became the first unmanned aircraft to refuel another aircraft. The Stingray’s role will allow more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to focus on strike missions, expanding the air wing’s operational reach. The program has entered its initial production phase, with the Navy announcing the first low-rate initial production contract in September, covering three aircraft and advance procurement for three more, with initial deliveries expected in 2029.