Swimming with Stingrays

摘要

Boeing's MQ-25 Stingray was launched under Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR's) Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS) programme, with a request for proposals (RFP) being answered by four companies. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics (GA-ASI) and Northrop Grumman all sought to provide the US Navy with an effective, affordable, sustainable and adaptable unmanned tanker to exponentially increase the capabilities of Carrier Air Wings (CVWs) deployed at sea. Prior to the contract being awarded, the US Navy ceased referring to the programme as CBARS, opting to call it the MQ-25 programme instead.