Boeing awarded $562 million US Navy contract for MQ-25A Stingray

The United States Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million contract to produce three MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. This order is part of a low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase, with the first deliveries expected to begin in 2029.

This contract brings the total number of MQ-25A aircraft under contract to 14. The agreement also includes early funding for long-lead parts intended for three additional aircraft in a second production lot, which is planned for award in 2027. The MQ-25A program recently transitioned from development and testing to the production and deployment phase following Milestone C approval.

The Stingray is designed to serve as the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling platform. By providing aerial refueling capabilities, the drones will reduce the burden on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, allowing those manned aircraft to focus more on strike missions while extending the operational range of the carrier air wing.