Investing in future warfare with greater use of carrier-based uncrewed vehicles, the U.S. Navy awarded a fixed-price incentive contract valued at $562 million to Boeing Co. for Lot 1 of low-rate initial production of MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned aircraft.

Valued at $562 million, the contract funds three Lot 1 Stingrays as well as long-lead-time components needed for three Lot 2 MQ-25A Stingrays, with Lot 1 vehicle deliveries expected by 2029. The MQ-25A (see image above) was approved for production and deployment in May 2026.

Seven MQ-25A test aircraft are currently in production at Boeing, with the MQ-25A Stingray program of record covering a total of 76 uncrewed air vehicles. The Stingrays are expected to provide essential refueling functions, enabling greater numbers of carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft to focus on strike missions. Support of the MQ-25A Stingrays will boost the range and effectiveness of the F/A-18 Super Hornets and lengthen their service lifetimes.

U.S. Navy Captain Daniel Fucito, program manager for Unmanned Carrier Aviation, noted, “Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams.”

Looking forward to the capabilities of the carrier-based uncrewed aerial vehicle, Fucito added, “MQ-25A will deliver the advanced reach, lethality, and survivability our warfighters need to outpace evolving threats and dominate the future battle space.”