First sight of buddy store on MQ-25A unmanned refueller

摘要

First images have emerged of the underwing pod installation on Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray carrier-borne unmanned aerial refuelling system ahead of the start of flight testing. The MQ-25A is intended to provide US Navy (USN) carrier air wings with a robust organic refuelling capability to improve the combat of embarked strike fighters and extend the reach of the carrier air wing on the aircraft carriers. Boeing was in August 2018 awarded a USD805.3 million engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for the design, development, fabrication, test, delivery, and support of four MQ-25A unmanned aerial vehicles, including integration into the carrier air wing for an initial operational capability in August 2024.