Boeing receives contract to begin production of MQ-25 Stingray

The U.S. Navy awarded a contract to Boeing Co., valued at USD 47 million, for the production and delivery of a first batch of MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft.

The contract, released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Defense, calls for the purchase of the initial low-level production lot 1 of the MQ-25 Stingray, with final deliverys to be completed by 2026.

The Stingray will become the world’s first unmanned aerial system (UAS) to go into operation aboard aircraft carriers, where it will assume in-flight refueling missions for the embarked air wing and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) duties.

Our new #MQ25 Stingray factory is taking shape! Hear Dave, our production operations director, describe the facility and how a recent @USNavy contract allows us to start buying components for the unmanned aircraft that will be built here. pic.twitter.com/6OUtbPpSDQ

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) September 29, 2022

To respond to this and future contracts from the U.S. Navy, Boeing Co. is building a new production facility in the St. Louis area. The result of an investment of more than $200 million, the new facility will cover an area of 300.000 square foot.

See also: Boeing built a new generation composites materials factory

Once operational, the MQ-25 UAS will take over from the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet for in-flight refueling missions, an activity that was rapidly wearing out the airframes of these aircraft, shortening their service life.