by BoeingUS
Extend carrier strike group combat range and persistence by providing unmanned aerial refueling, freeing carrier deck space and reducing pilot risk in contested airspace.
First operational aircraft flew April 2026. Low-rate production approved. 76 planned.
Updated May 2026Checked 11 Oct0 updates this week
MQ-25A can autonomously taxi, take off, fly programmed routes, conduct in-flight refueling and land on a carrier deck.
The drone trails a boom with a drogue (basket) that fighters approach and dock with during flight, transferring fuel via gravity and engine pressure.
Smaller and lighter than crewed tankers, Stingray frees carrier deck space for more strike fighters while reducing pilot workload with autonomous refueling.
| Spec | MQ-25A Stingray |
|---|---|
| Total aircraft planned | 76R (reported) |
| Fuel transfer capacity (est.) | ~2,200 lbE (estimated) |
R reported by the company · E our estimate
Boeing
Starliner crew capsule, SLS core stage
Boeing builds airliners, defence systems and spacecraft. In space it builds Starliner, a crew capsule for Space Station flights, and the core stage of NASA's SLS Moon rocket.
