US Navy Clears MQ-25A Stingray for Low-Rate Initial Production

Boeing-built carrier-based refueling UAV receives Milestone C approval, with an initial three-aircraft production award expected this summer.

 

May 20, 2026

 

The U.S. Navy announced on May 19 that the MQ-25A Stingray received Milestone C approval, allowing the Boeing-built unmanned carrier-based refueling aircraft to move into low-rate initial production.

 

The Navy said the decision followed the aircraft’s first flight in April and was announced by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. The program is managed by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office, PMA-268, which is responsible for the MQ-25A air system and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System.

 

The Navy said it expects to award an LRIP Lot 1 contract this summer for three MQ-25A aircraft. The planned contract is also expected to include priced options for Lot 2 covering three additional aircraft and Lot 3 covering five aircraft. Boeing said the Milestone C decision authorizes the Navy to award the company the LRIP contract and begin transitioning the program from Engineering and Manufacturing Development into low-rate production.

 

The MQ-25A is intended to provide organic aerial refueling to the carrier air wing and allow additional F/A-18E/F aircraft to focus on strike missions. The Navy described the Stingray as the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle.

 

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