US Navy Embarks MQ-25 Stingray on USS Nimitz for FLEETEX 250

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In what looks like a small preview of what lies ahead, the US Navy has revealed that it has embarked its new MQ-25 Stingray refuelling drone on the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, as part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As shown in the images released by the service, the carrier is integrated into the force deployed for the FLEETEX 250 exercise. The unmanned system, meanwhile, is operating alongside an embarked air wing that also includes F/A-18E Super Hornets and C-2 Greyhounds.

MQ-25 Stingray on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250

Adding further detail, Boeing has confirmed that the aircraft involved is the MQ-25 Stingray T1 prototype, the same example that conducted its first flights in 2019. Although no specific tasks have been disclosed for the drone during these drills, it is worth noting that FLEETEX serves as an opportunity for the US Navy to strengthen cohesion across a significant range of naval and air assets, as well as to validate procedures and tactics for operating alongside allied nations; 13 of them are participating in this edition.

Boeing MQ-25 Stingray T1 and the exercise’s objectives

The photographs published so far also show that the MQ-25 Stingray has been finished in a new, fully grey paint scheme, including a special emblem to mark the aforementioned 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. In this sense, the aircraft differs from the one seen during tests in 2021, when operations were conducted from the deck of the USS George W. Bush and the drone featured orange details.

A new grey paint scheme for the 250th anniversary

Beyond its presence in FLEETEX 250, it should be highlighted that Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray programme received the necessary authorisation in May to begin low-rate initial production, a major milestone on the path towards eventual entry into US Navy service. As we reported at the time, the service anticipated that the first batch of unmanned systems would consist of three units, with options to proceed with the purchase of a second batch of another three, and then to close out the initial production phase with an additional run of five more examples.

Production approval and recent testing milestones

Further back, specifically in February of this year, the MQ-25 Stingrays also completed a series of ground trials that validated their ability to perform autonomous manoeuvres at low speeds. These taxi tests were likewise an important step for Boeing in normalising delivery schedules after significant delays, which were previously attributed to Lockheed Martin’s slowness in completing command programming.

Why the MQ-25 matters for US Navy carrier air wings

Lastly, it is useful to recall that the arrival of these new drones has become a key priority for the US Navy, since they will allow it to relieve F/A-18 fighters currently fitted with additional fuel tanks and used to carry out aerial refuelling duties. This would enable those aircraft to be employed in the role for which they were truly intended, while also avoiding placing their pilots at unnecessary risk during deployments. Looking to the medium term, the service expects to add around 76 MQ-25 drones for this purpose, supporting its longer-term strategy of having up to 60% drones within its embarked air wings.

Image credits: US Navy.