Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray Drone Program Costs Less Than Expected
Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray drone program has been making headlines for years, but a recent contract award from the Defense Department reveals some surprising news. The $552 million fixed-price contract to deliver three 'Lot One' drones to the Navy implies that each aircraft will cost no more than $184 million, significantly lower than the estimated $207 million per plane.
The MQ-25A Stingray is a drone refueling tanker designed to keep piloted fighter jets gassed up and ready for action. Boeing won the contract in 2018 with an initial development price tag of $805 million, but the total program cost was estimated at $15.8 billion to build 76 drones.
The Navy's decision to award a fixed-price contract suggests that Boeing is on track to deliver the drones at a lower cost than expected. This could lead to more contracts for Boeing in the future, as the company develops a reputation for delivering products under budget.