The first operational test flight of the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial vehicle, developed in cooperation with the US Navy and Boeing, was carried out. The flight is considered an important stage in terms of the integration of the system into aircraft carrier operations. During the flight, which lasted approximately two hours, the unmanned aerial vehicle; It carried out all taxi, take-off, flight and landing phases autonomously, without direct pilot intervention.
The test flight took place at MidAmerica St. It was held at Louis Airport. Officials stated that this flight verified the aircraft’s flight control systems, navigation systems and integration with the Unmanned Aircraft Carrier Aviation Mission Control System. The MQ-25A Stingray was developed to provide aerial refueling to aircraft carrier-based air elements. Thanks to the system, it is aimed to increase the operational range of manned warplanes, especially the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, and to enable these aircraft to focus more on attack missions.
The tested aircraft is the first of four engineering development models planned to be delivered under the current development contract. It is planned to carry out additional test flights within the scope of the program and then continue the evaluations at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. US Navy officials stated that the program aims to support the integration of unmanned systems into aircraft carrier operations and strengthen future naval aviation capabilities.
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