Navy Awards Boeing $562M Contract for MQ-25A Stingray Unmanned Tanker

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million contract to produce the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tanker. The fixed-price incentive contract covers three Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 1 MQ-25As and includes additional funding for components to support three Lot 2 MQ-25As.

The MQ-25A will become the Defense Department's first unmanned tanker and the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. It is designed to extend the life of the Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornets and relieve them of their aerial refueling role, allowing the aircraft to focus on strike missions.

Boeing's MQ-25A will deliver at least 14,000 pounds of fuel over 500 nautical miles, around the same capacity as the Super Hornets. The contract is a major milestone for the program, which has faced several delays and setbacks in recent years.