The U.S. Navy and Boeing have for the first time ever demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft, the MQ-25 T1 test asset. This drone successfully extended the hose and drogue from its U.S. Navy-issued aerial refueling store (ARS) and safely transferred jet fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, showcasing its ability to carry out its primary aerial refueling mission.
To make this refueling possible, the F/A-18 test pilot flew in close formation behind MQ-25, a maneuver that requires just 20-feet of separation between them. Both were flying at operationally matching speeds / altitudes and once the evaluation was safely completed, the MQ-25 drogue was extended and the F/A-18 pilot moved in lock into the unmanned aircraft to receive the scheduled fuel offload.
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This team of professionals was integral in the successful flight. Over the next few years, we will work side-by-side with Boeing to deliver this capability that will greatly enhance the future carrier air wing. This history-making event is a credit to our joint Boeing and Navy team that is all-in on delivering MQ-25’s critical aerial refueling capability to the fleet as soon as possible. Their work is the driving force behind the safe and secure integration of unmanned systems in the immediate future of defense operations,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
