By Neil Lobeda, Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office

The Navy’s path toward unmanned carrier aviation took a major step forward this spring. After a successful first flight April 25, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced May 19 that the MQ-25A Stingray received Milestone C approval, clearing the way to move into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

The decision marks a pivotal moment for the program. An LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft is expected this summer, with priced options for Lot 2 (three aircraft) and Lot 3 (five aircraft).

“Unmanned refueling extends our reach against any adversary,” Cao said. “Moving the MQ-25A Stingray to Milestone C and into production is arming our warfighters with a capability that increases the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups. This is a decisive advantage that delivers our warfighters what they need to fight and win.”

As the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-25A is the pathfinder for unmanned carrier aviation. Stingray will provide the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) with essential organic refueling, freeing more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to focus on strike missions. The result: expanded operational reach of the air wing, improved readiness and preserved service life across the Super Hornet fleet.

The Stingray also represents a major step in integrating unmanned systems alongside manned platforms within the CVW, setting the stage for future advancements in Naval Aviation.

“Milestone C approval represents an important step for this program,” said Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation and Commander, Naval Air Systems Command. “MQ-25A will provide persistent aerial refueling and unlock greater capacity across the air wing, ensuring our carrier strike groups remain lethal, flexible and forward-ready.”

Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager, echoed the momentum.

“The aircraft is ready, production is ready and the program is ready to move this groundbreaking capability forward, paving the way for unmanned carrier aviation and enhancing fleet capability, capacity and lethality,” he said.

The MQ-25A program is managed by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office, which oversees both the Stingray unmanned air system and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System. The program office operates under the Carrier Strike Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive, part of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation.