The US Navy's carrier-based aerial and refueling system (CBARS), has the mq-25 stanchray as its aircraft. It is intended to enhance the range of deployed fighter-jets by providing a refueling option. The Stingray will also integrate seamlessly with a carrier's catapult and launch and recovery systems.
MQ-9 Reaper
The United States Navy's mq 9 reaper is an unmanned air vehicle used to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations on aircraft carriers. It is equipped with a range of sensors, multimode communications suite, as well as precision weapons. It's a versatile aircraft that can be used for intelligence and surveillance, reconnaissance and close air support.
The mq9 reaper is used primarily to collect intelligence information. However, it can also provide significant loiter time for other tasks like surveillance and strike missions. It is a highly maneuverable, high-altitude, high-speed vehicle that can be paired with other UAVs for joint operations against tactical targets such as ad hoc command and control stations, ground control stations, and radar platforms.
It can also be used to strike high-value targets like aircraft and ships. The payload area of the mq9 reaper is large, which allows for many different weapons and electronics to be loaded onto it, including Paveway laser-guided and satellite-guided bombs and Quickstrike navy mines.
You can also equip it with electronic countermeasures or anti-ship missiles. It is a mobile and versatile aircraft that can be easily transported on any type of aircraft carrier.
During a recent test, the aircraft was flown around the deck of the Bush-class aircraft carrier in a loop. It was also driven around on the deck in taxi mode through various landing and takeoff maneuvers.
Boeing's MQ-25 stingray is under development. It is a carrier-based unmanned aerial tanker. The pilot can control the aircraft with an F/A-18 Super Hornet, or E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, while it performs its core tanking mission. It is expected that the drone can be operated on a carrier deck and in air operations without any additional guidance. However, it will have to follow a new set rules called NATOPS.
MQ25 Stingray Drone
For its Carrier-Based Aerial Refueling System, (CBARS), the US Navy has developed the mq-25-stingray. It is designed to replace the current fleets Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters (Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-35C) that carry out refuelling missions from their carriers.
The MQ-25 is currently being developed at the Boeing facility, St Louis, Missouri, USA. It is currently undergoing testing to prepare for its maiden flight, 2021. The MQ-25 can refuel aircraft using the same standard probe-and–drogue method as the Navy's current aircraft.
Boeing is currently developing the mq-25 in a $805 million development agreement. This will make it a crucial component of the US Navy's carrier-based unmanned aircraft refueling program. The program will bring billions of dollars to the Navy. This is only the beginning of a journey that will eventually lead to more than 70 drones within the Navy's fleet.