MQ-25 Stingray
The Navy's first carrier drone, built to refuel fighters and stretch the air wing's reach.
IMAGE · MQ-25 STINGRAY · VIDEO IN PRODUCTION
ROLE
Uncrewed tanker that frees Super Hornets from refueling duty and extends the range of the whole air wing.
STRENGTHS
- Takes tanking off fighters that should be fighting
- Extends the reach of the F/A-XX and F-35C
- First step toward an air wing with more drones
WEAKNESSES
- Initial operational capability slipped to 2029
- Not stealthy, so it refuels from farther back
- Carries fuel and ISR sensors, no weapons
The MQ-25 is the first uncrewed aircraft built to operate from a US carrier deck as part of the regular air wing, for refueling and surveillance. The MQ-25A development aircraft made its first flight in April 2026.
Today, Super Hornets spend a large share of their flight hours refueling other Super Hornets. Handing that job to a drone frees fighters for combat and stretches the distance from which a carrier can fight, which matters more as China's anti-ship missiles push carriers farther out.