After eight years of development, the U.S. Navy has given authorization for Boeing to begin production of its long-awaited unmanned tanker aircraft, the MQ-25A Stingray. The $200 million aircraft can carry about 15,000 pounds of jet fuel aloft from the deck of an aircraft carrier, automating the routine duty of refueling strike fighters in midair – an essential task that currently falls to other strike fighters.
In operation, the Stingray will free up all of a carrier air wing’s F/A-18 Super Hornets to carry out more combat missions by taking them off of tanking duty. It is also expected to augment the carrier’s reach by flying along with fighter squadrons on strike missions, bearing extra fuel to extend their range.
The authorization announced Tuesday approves Stingray to…
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Source maritime-executive.com
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