The US Navy released photos on 29/6 showing the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier participating in exercise FLEETEX 250. The images featured a prototype MQ-25 Stingray refueling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parked on the flight deck, flanked by two C-2 transport aircraft and 4 F/A-18E multi-role fighters.

The MQ-25 prototype was painted in the standard gray color of operational aircraft, lacking the orange streaks on the nose and wings typically seen on test planes. Its fuselage displayed the registration code N234MQ and tail number 250.

Aircraft on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in a photo released on 29/6. *Photo: US Navy*

It remains unclear whether the MQ-25 took flight and participated in exercise FLEETEX 250 or was simply present for the photo session. Notably, the aircraft was not equipped with the Cobham refueling pod, typically mounted under its left wing.

In a post on social media platform X the same day, manufacturer Boeing stated that the MQ-25 UAV's presence on the USS Nimitz was "to commemorate the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day" and offered "a glimpse into the future of US carrier-based airpower."

This is not the first time an MQ-25 has appeared on an aircraft carrier. In 12/2021, the US Navy and Boeing deployed the T1 prototype on the USS George H.W. Bush to test its remote control system and confirm the aircraft's ability to maneuver on the flight deck like conventional planes.

MQ-25 prototype parked in front of an F/A-18E fighter on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in a photo released on 29/6. *Photo: US Navy*

The first production MQ-25 conducted its test flight on 25/4. One month later, the US Navy approved a plan for low-rate initial production of the refueling UAV.

The MQ-25 program was initiated in 2006 to address an urgent requirement for carrier-capable unmanned aerial vehicles with aerial refueling capabilities. The T1 prototype successfully refueled an F/A-18F in 6/2021 using the Cobham system pod.

The US Navy intends to procure a total of 76 MQ-25s. These will take over the aerial refueling duties currently handled by some F/A-18E/F fighters, thereby increasing the number of combat-ready fighters available for other missions. Furthermore, the MQ-25 is capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for carrier strike groups.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Aviationist)