ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - For the first time in history, the U.S. Navy and Boeing demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft to refuel another aircraft.
The successful training took place on June 4 at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. – 25 miles east of St. Louis. You can watch in the video above as the MQ-25 Stingray safely transferred jet fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet.
St. Louis-based Boeing has been competing to build the unmanned refueling tanker for at least five years, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Navy reportedly has planned to purchase up to 72 Stringrays, worth about $13 billion, over the next few years.
"This history-making event is a credit to our joint Boeing and Navy team that is all-in on delivering MQ-25's critical aerial refueling capability to the fleet as soon as possible," said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "Their work is the driving force behind the safe and secure integration of unmanned systems in the immediate future of defense operations."
The successful test will lead to more difficult training exercises at different altitudes, locations and speeds.
The Stingray will continue flight testing prior to being shipped to Norfolk, Virginia, for deck handling trials aboard a U.S. Navy carrier later this year.
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram