First-Ever Inflight Refueling from Unmanned Tanker

摘要

The MQ-25 program successfully conducted the first ever aerial refueling operations between a manned receiver aircraft and unmanned tanker on June 4, operating from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. The flight demonstrated that the MQ-25 Stingray can fulfill the tanker mission using the Navy's standard probe-and-drogue aerial refueling method. "This flight lays the foundation for integration into the carrier environment, allowing for greater capability toward Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) concepts," said Rear Admiral Brian Corey, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. "MQ-25 will greatly increase the range and endurance of the Future Carrier Air Wing - equipping our aircraft carriers with additional assets well into the future." During the flight, the receiver Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet approached the Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset and conducted a formation, wake survey, and drogue tracking evaluation. The F/A-18 then plugged the refueling drogue of the unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25 then successfully transferred fuel from its Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) to the F/A-18.