MQ-25 Stingray Starts Taxi Tests (Updated)

MQ-25 Stingray Achieves First Taxi Test Milestone

The U.S. Navy’s initial production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone has successfully completed its first low-speed taxi test at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport outside St. Louis, Missouri. The test involved autonomous taxiing and maneuvers controlled by air vehicle pilots at the push of a button, with participation from Navy personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons VX-23 and UX-24. This critical step toward first flight occurred on January 29, 2026, following the start of ground testing last summer. The Navy is now targeting an early 2026 first flight after missing a 2025 deadline, with additional taxi tests and systems reviews planned before clearance for flight.

Design Features and Technological Highlights

New footage from the taxi test reveals key design elements of the MQ-25, including its exotic top-mounted “flush” air inlet and inset engine exhaust, which contribute to its low-observable (stealthy) characteristics despite the program’s primary focus on aerial refueling. The drone also features a retractable sensor turret under the nose, equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras for secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. A flying demonstrator, T1, has supported development through prior flight and ground tests, though it differs from the production-standard aircraft. These features stem from Boeing’s earlier work on the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, which was abandoned in favor of the tanker-focused MQ-25.

Production Timeline, Delays, and Program Goals

Boeing is delivering nine pre-production MQ-25 Stingrays, with five allocated for fatigue and static testing to ensure durability. The Navy aims to acquire a total of 76 units, targeting initial operational capability (IOC) in 2027, though the program has faced significant delays and cost overruns—originally slated for 2022 deliveries and 2024 IOC. Recent progress includes structural testing, initial engine runs, flight-certified software, and control via the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS). Navy officials remain committed, emphasizing the drone’s role in extending the range of carrier-based aircraft and reducing the tanker burden on crewed F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Future Integration and Broader Implications

As a “pathfinder” for uncrewed carrier aviation, the MQ-25 will pave the way for capabilities like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, with the Navy advancing designs from companies including Anduril, Boeing, General Atomics, and Northrop Grumman. Integration challenges include developing command architectures, tactics, and deck-handling procedures for constrained carrier environments, building on lessons from X-47B and T1 testing. The program supports a vision of carrier air wings with 60% or more uncrewed aircraft, enhancing interoperability with the Air Force and Marine Corps for future operations.