Boeing completes historic unmanned air-to-air refuelling test
The Boeing MQ-25 T1 test asset transfers fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet June 4, marking the first time in history that an unmanned aircraft has refuelled another aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
On 4 June, Boeing and the US Navy have demonstrated air-to-air refuelling using an unmanned aircraft for the first time in history.
This landmark achievement occurred after 25 T1 flights, testing both aircraft and aerial refuelling store (ARS) aerodynamics across the flight envelope, as well as extensive simulations of aerial refuelling using MQ-25 digital models.
During the test flight, MQ-25 T1 extended the hose and drogue from its USN-issued ARS and safely transferred jet fuel to a USN F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The F/A-18 test pilots flew in close formation behind MQ-25 to ensure performance and stability prior to refuelling, a manoeuvre that required as little as 20 feet of separation between the MQ-25 and the F/A-18 refuelling probe.
Both aircraft were flying at operationally relevant speeds and altitudes.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the MQ-25 Stingray is a carrier-based, long-endurance, UAV that will conduct aerial refuelling as a primary mission and provide ISR capability as a secondary mission.
As Shephard previously reported, there is still much work to go. The navy faces limited flexibility to install MQ-25 control centres on aircraft carriers. If the installation window is missed, a three-year development delay would occur. You can read more here.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
RCO defends Project Mosquito cancellation, claiming investment stopped making sense
Despite the UK MoD awarding Spirit Aerosystems a Project Mosquito Phase 2 design and development contract for a low-cost, uncrewed fighter aircraft valued at £30 million, the project has been cancelled without a demonstrator being built.
-
US Army to receive Penguin UAVs
Edge Autonomy announced a deal to provide the US Army with its Penguin UAVs for ISR missions.
-
Teledyne FLIR stays ahead of the pack on MTRS Increment II
US Army Contracting Command keeps faith in Teledyne FLIR with a new MTRS Increment II deal.
-
Baykar to gift three TB2 UAVs to Ukraine
Baykar is refusing payment for the manufacture of TB2 UAVs and will instead donate three to Ukraine.
-
Hermes takes off in Switzerland
The ADS-15 UAV (the Swiss designation for the Hermes 900) performed its first test flight on 15 June before planned transfer to the Swiss Air Force in the second half of the year.
-
Kappa optronics joins Eurodrone supplier base
Kappa optronics has received an order from Airbus to provide company materials for the multinational Eurodrone programme.