Boeing and the US Navy have successfully completed the first test flight of the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueller.
The MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, completed the autonomous two-hour flight under the direction of Boeing test pilots operating from a ground control station at St. Louis Airport, where the test program is based.
The aircraft completed an autonomous taxi and take-off and then flew a pre-determined route to validate the aircraft’s basic flight functions and operations with the ground control station.
“Seeing MQ-25 in the sky is a testament to our Boeing and Navy team working the technology, systems and processes that are helping get MQ-25 to the carrier,” Boeing MQ-25 Program Director Dave Bujold said. “This aircraft and its flight test program ensures we’re delivering the MQ-25 to the carrier fleet with the safety, reliability and capability the US Navy needs to conduct its vital mission.”
The Boeing-owned test asset is a predecessor to the engineering development model (EDM) aircraft and is being used for early learning and discovery to meet the goals of the US Navy’s accelerated acquisition program. Boeing will produce four EDM MQ-25 air vehicles for the US Navy under an $805 million contract awarded in August 2018.
The MQ-25 will provide the US Navy with a much-needed carrier-based unmanned aerial refuelling capability. It will allow for better use of the combat strike fighters currently performing the tanking role and will extend the range of the carrier air wing.
“[This] flight is an exciting and significant milestone for our program and the Navy,” Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Manager Chad Reed said. “The flight of this test asset two years before our first MQ-25 arrives represents the first big step in a series of early learning opportunities that are helping us progress toward delivery of a game-changing capability for the carrier air wing and strike group commanders.”