MQ-25 Stingray: The US Navy's first-of-its-kind uncrewed aerial refuelling system

Imagine you're a US fighter pilot, operating far from your aircraft carrier, but your fuel is running dangerously low. What are your options? 

The aircraft could be refuelled using a KC-135 Stratotanker, while the other air-to-air refuelling option is an F/A-18 Super Hornet fitted with a so-called 'buddy tank' and delivery system. But that takes a valuable combat aircraft out of the fight. 

However, there is another alternative in the form of the Pentagon's first uncrewed aerial refuelling aircraft and carrier-based drone of its kind – the US Navy's MQ-25 Stingray. 

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It is expected to reach operational capability by 2029, and it will double as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission asset. 

There are plans for the US Navy to buy 76 of these aircraft – 67 will be operational Stingrays and the other nine will be test and development models from Boeing. 

In our video above, BFBS Forces News takes an in-depth look at the MQ-25 Stingray and its capabilities.