Defense

Another first for the MQ-25: Air-to-air refueling with an E-2D

0

Published on 08/19/2021 – Last Updated on 08/19/2021 by OTC

Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. – The U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation program completed its first aerial refueling flight with an E-2D aircraft Aug.18 at Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.

The Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, transferred fuel to an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the newest variant of the E-2 platform which was upgraded with an aerial refueling capability in 2019.

An Unmanned Boeing Mq-25 T1 Stingray Test Aircraft Takes Off From Midamerica Airport In Mascoutah, Illinois To Conduct An Aerial Refueling Test With A Manned F/A-18 Super Hornet, June 4, 2021.

“Once operational, the MQ-25 will refuel every receiver-capable platform including E-2,” said Capt. Chad Reed, the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) program manager. “This flight keeps us on a fast track to getting the Stingray out to the fleet where its refueling capability will greatly increase the range and operational flexibility of the carrier air wing and strike group.”

This test marks the second refueling flight for the MQ-25 program. In June, the government/industry team completed the historic first unmanned tanking flight with an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

During the six-hour flight, Navy E-2D pilots from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX) 20 approached T1, performed formation evaluations, wake surveys, drogue tracking and plugs with the MQ-25 test asset at 220 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS) and 10,000 feet. This test allows the program to analyze the aerodynamic interaction of the two aircraft. The team can then determine if any adjustments to guidance and control are required and make those software updates early, with no impact to the developmental test schedule.

T1 testing will continue over the next several months to include flight envelope expansion, engine testing, and deck handling demonstrations aboard an aircraft carrier before the MQ-25 engineering, manufacturing and development aircraft are delivered next year.

An MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial vehicle refuels an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft over MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill,, Aug. 18, 2021.
An Mq-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Refuels An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft Over Midamerica Airport In Mascoutah, Ill,, Aug. 18, 2021.

MQ-25 will be the world’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft and provide critical aerial refueling and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that will greatly expand the global reach, operational flexibility and lethality of the Carrier Air Wing and Carrier Strike Group. The Stingray is a foundational step toward the Navy’s strategic vision of a future fleet augmented by unmanned systems to pace the evolving challenges of the 21st century.


Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the MQ-25 Stingray.

app store 2 - naval post
Apple App Store
image - naval post
Google Play

IDEF 2021 Day 1 International Defense Exhibition in Istanbul Turkey daily coverage report

Previous article

Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation to Unveil State-of-the-Art Ships and Drones at Army-2021 Forum

Next article

You may also like

Comments

Comments are closed.

More in Defense