Boeing and U.S. Navy Celebrate Milestone with Successful MQ-25A Stingray Test Flight

On April 25, 2026, Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy achieved a significant milestone in military aviation with the successful completion of the first test flight of the operational MQ-25A Stingray™. This landmark event marks a pivotal advancement towards integrating unmanned aircraft into carrier operations, setting the stage for a transformative era in naval aviation.

The successful two-hour flight took place over southern Illinois, where the MQ-25A demonstrated its advanced capabilities. The unmanned aircraft autonomously executed a series of critical operations, including taxiing, taking off, flying, landing, and responding to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS). The mission was facilitated by Boeing and U.S. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots, who monitored the aircraft's performance from the GCS located at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.

Once airborne, the Stingray followed a predetermined mission plan that validated its flight controls, navigation systems, and safe integration with ground control operations. This successful demonstration of autonomy is a significant step toward operational readiness.

Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Air Dominance, emphasized the importance of this flight, stating, "Today's successful flight builds on years of learning from our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a major maturation of the program. The MQ-25A is the most complex autonomous system ever developed for the carrier environment, and this historic achievement advances us closer to safely integrating the Stingray into the carrier air wing."

Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, echoed this sentiment, declaring, "The first flight of the MQ-25A is a landmark achievement for the Navy-Boeing team and a critical step toward the future of the carrier air wing. This flight demonstrates our progress in delivering a carrier-based refueling capability that will significantly extend the reach and lethality of our fleet."

The MQ-25A Stingray serves as a gateway for the U.S. Navy to integrate unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck, promoting manned-unmanned teaming. Its autonomous aerial refueling capability is expected to dramatically enhance the operational range of the carrier air wing, allowing F/A-18 Super Hornets, which have traditionally performed the aerial refueling role, to concentrate on their primary mission as multi-role strike fighters.

Boeing is set to deliver four Engineering Development Model aircraft to the Navy under the original $805 million Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract.

Troy Rutherford, vice president of the Boeing MQ-25 program, remarked on the teamwork and dedication demonstrated throughout the project's development. "Watching our first Navy aircraft complete an autonomous flight underscores what disciplined teamwork and rigorous testing deliver. Today would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Boeing, Navy, and industry team. Together, we are redefining the future of naval aviation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with autonomy."

As Boeing and the U.S. Navy prepare for additional test flights at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, they aim to further validate the aircraft's capabilities before transitioning operations to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland for carrier qualifications.

The successful test flight of the MQ-25A Stingray represents a significant leap forward for both Boeing and the U.S. Navy, showcasing the future of unmanned aviation and its potential impact on military operations. With further testing on the horizon, the collaboration between Boeing and the Navy continues to pave the way for innovative advancements in naval warfare.