The award also provides advance funding for long-lead components for three additional MQ-25As under Lot 2. Boeing said the latest contract raises the total number of aircraft under contract to 14, while the Lot 2 award is planned for 2027.
The contract moves the MQ-25A from development and testing into low-rate production. It follows the program’s Milestone C approval in May, which authorized its transition into the Production and Deployment phase.
The Navy’s program of record covers 76 aircraft, including four Engineering and Manufacturing Development vehicles and five System Demonstration Test Articles. Boeing’s development work also includes two ground-test aircraft for static and fatigue testing.
Seven test aircraft are currently in production at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and at the dedicated MQ-25 plant in Mascoutah, Illinois. Boeing said the Lot 1 award supports validation of the design, manufacturing processes and supply-chain readiness.
Capt. Daniel Fucito, the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager, said the production contract brings the aircraft closer to operational service. “MQ-25A will deliver the advanced reach, lethality, and survivability our warfighters need to outpace evolving threats and dominate the future battlespace.”
The Navy describes the MQ-25A as the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based uncrewed aerial vehicle. It will provide organic aerial refueling for carrier air wings and reduce their dependence on F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performing that mission.
This will allow more Super Hornets to focus on strike operations while expanding the carrier air wing’s operational reach. The Navy also expects the MQ-25A to preserve the service life of F/A-18E/F aircraft and improve fleet readiness.
The Stingray will support the integration of uncrewed systems with crewed aircraft in carrier operations. PMA-268 manages both the MQ-25A air system and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System used to command and control the aircraft.
“This award validates our team’s hard work and positions us to deliver additional aircraft with critical capability to the Navy,” said Derek Attwood, Boeing’s MQ-25A LRIP program manager. “We look forward to supporting the customer through the LRIP deliveries.”
Boeing and the Navy will continue working to reduce technical and program risks before future production awards. Boeing plans to complete the initial production aircraft, begin deliveries and start operator training over the next several years.
“Reaching this milestone shows how we’re redefining naval aviation and expanding what autonomy can do,” said Troy Rutherford, Boeing’s MQ-25 program vice president. “We remain committed to providing stability and consistent execution of the production system to fulfill our commitments to the fleet.”
Full-rate production decisions will follow the low-rate production awards. The MQ-25A is intended to expand the range and availability of carrier-based combat aircraft while establishing the operational foundation for future uncrewed naval aviation.
