• MQ-25A Stingray cleared for low-rate initial production The milestone supports Boeing’s focus on delivering the unmanned aerial refueler to the U.S. Navy.
The Stingray autonomously executes its predetermined mission plan during its inaugural test flight on April 25.

Following a successful first flight in April, the U.S. Navy announced that the MQ-25A Stingray™ has reached Milestone C in its development life cycle, clearing the program to proceed with low-rate initial production (LRIP).

Why it matters: The milestone is a key step toward bringing the U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft onto the flight decks of Navy aircraft carriers.

  • “Boeing is honored to work alongside our U.S. Navy partner in achieving this historic milestone in the MQ-25A Stingray’s development life cycle,” said Troy Rutherford, vice president, Boeing MQ-25 program. “We remain focused on getting this game-changing unmanned aircraft into the hands of the fleet and integrated into the carrier air wing.”

What the customer said:

  • “Unmanned refueling extends our reach against any adversary,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. “Moving the MQ-25A Stingray to Milestone C and into production is arming our warfighters with a capability that increases the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups. This is a decisive advantage that delivers our warfighters what they need to fight and win.”
  • “The aircraft is ready, production is ready, and the program is ready to move this groundbreaking capability forward, paving the way for unmanned carrier aviation and enhancing fleet capability, capacity and lethality,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager.

By the numbers: Boeing is currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the MQ-25A Stingray’s development life cycle, which includes:

  • 4 Engineering Development Model (EDM) aircraft
  • 5 System Demonstration Test Articles
  • 2 ground test articles (static and fatigue)

What’s next: By declaring Milestone C, the U.S. Navy is authorized to award Boeing with the LRIP contract to begin transitioning from the EMD phase into LRIP.