F-35 and X-47B

[spazsinbad]

There is a perspective difference with Shornet behind the Stingray further away relative to camera & our view of it all.

[spazsinbad]

U.S. Navy Alerts Congress Cut Could Delay MQ-25 Deployment
14 Aug 2019 Lee Hudson

"The U.S. Navy is alerting Congress that reductions to the fiscal 2020 budget could delay the deployment of the MQ-25 unmanned carrier refueling tanker by 17 months and delivery of an aircraft carrier by one year, making things tough on Boeing and Huntington Ingalls Industries, Aerospace DAILY has learned. The House Appropriations Committee’s mark of the fiscal 2020 defense appropriations bill cuts $80 million from the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, citing excess to need. The Navy argues this … [no sub so that's all sherote]

Source: https://aviationweek.com/awindefense/us ... deployment

[spazsinbad]

Apparently this article was pulled from original TESTER website but but but ALERT5 managed to save screenshots before...

Update on MQ-25A Carrier-Based Unmanned Aerial Refueling System
30 Aug 2019 Cmdr. Colin "Bob" Allen USN

"The MQ-25A Stingray Carrier-Based Unmanned Aerial Refueling System, managed by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office, will be the Navy's first UAV to operate from an aircraft carrier.

It is designed to take off from a carrier, handle mission and recovery tanking for multiple air plan events and execute maritime intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It will enhance the warflghting capability of the air wing by extending the range of all carrier aircraft capable of inflight refueling, a dedicated capability that has been missing from the air wing since the retirement of the S-3 Viking.

The fleet introduction of MQ-25A, currently planned for 2024, will be an historic step toward widespread carrier-based unmanned aircraft capabilities for the Navy.

Last year, the MQ-25 Integrated Test Team (ITT) conducted the first test of the Unmanned Carrier Aircraft (UCA) Mission Control Station (UMCS) in a laboratory at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

Unlike previous unmanned systems, the Navy is developing the ground station for MQ-25A itself, which will enable the Navy to rapidly develop the UMCS independent from the contractor developing the aircraft.

The MQ-25 will be controlled by a single air vehicle operator (AVO) requiring an excellent UMCS human-machine interface to reduce AVO workload. This is a significant challenge that requires aircrew input to develop properly.

The second round of UMCS testing is planned for late fiscal year 2019 where the control station will be connected to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command labs around the country to test the UMCS interaction with the networks necessary to control the MQ-25A wherever it may operate.

While UMCS development and testing continues, the air vehicle design and development is also underway.

In August 2018, Boeing won the contract to develop and build four MQ-25A air vehicles for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. To accelerate the process, Boeing built a prototype MQ-25 with its own capital funds prior to contract award. That prototype, called Tl, is scheduled for first flight this year.

The T1 flight test program will enable significant lessons to be learned early enough in the MQ-25 development to be incorporated into the final MQ-25A design.

The first MQ-25 air vehicles are scheduled for delivery to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 starting in late 2021 to support an aggressive three-year test program to enable a 2024 Initial Operating Capability.

Testing will include carrier suitability testing at NAS Patuxent River, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst and multiple trips to a carrier outfitted with an Unmanned Air Warfare Center.

All aspects of MQ-25A testing will require a cadre of carrier-experienced United States Naval Test Pilot School graduates to identify deficiencies and ensure the Stingray is capable of performing the missions it was designed to accomplish.

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the future of naval aviation."

Source: http://alert5.com/2019/08/30/usns-updat ... a-program/

[zerion]

The US Navy’s new autonomous refueling drone takes historic first flight

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone, destined to be the first carrier-launched autonomous unmanned aircraft to be integrated into the service’s power strike arm, took its first test flight from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, Boeing announced Thursday.

The two hour flight, remotely controlled by Boeing test pilots, tested the basic flight functions of the aircraft, a Boeing press statement said.

“The aircraft completed an autonomous taxi and takeoff and then flew a pre-determined route to validate the aircraft’s basic flight functions and operations with the ground control station,” the release said...

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/ ... st-flight/

[spazsinbad]

Oh Dear, Oh Dearie Me... this is BOING! saying they'll do it right-like the new TANKER wot is TANKING-BIG TIME one fears.

The USN has same story with a link to three photos (hi qual) and a video wot I'll post on YouBend:

Original photo is 9Mb JPG so it is scrunched & cropped & attached below: http://bds.navigon.net/displayfolders.asp

Navy, Boeing complete first MQ-25 test flight [video shows nice carrier plonk landing]
19 Sep 2019 NavAir PR

"NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The Navy and Boeing successfully completed the first test flight of the MQ-25™, the first operational carrier-based unmanned refueling aircraft Sept. 19 from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.

The Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, completed an FAA-certified autonomous taxi, take-off and flew a pre-determined flight route for a two hour flight to validate the aircraft’s basic flight functions and operations.

“Today’s flight is an exciting and significant milestone for our program and the Navy,” said the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) Program Manager Capt. Chad Reed. “The flight of this test asset two years before our first MQ-25 arrives represents the first big step in a series of early learning opportunities that are helping us progress toward delivery of a game-changing capability for the carrier air wing and strike group commanders.”

Testing will continue with T1 over the next several years to further early learning and discovery that advances major systems and software development in support of the program’s 2024 initial operational capability (IOC) target. The company will deliver the Engineering Development Model (EDM) aircraft beginning in fiscal year 2021...."

[photo caption]“The Navy and Boeing conduct first flight of the MQ-25A Stingray test asset, known as T1, Sept. 19 from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. MQ-25 will be the world's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)” http://bds.navigon.net/download.asp?id=8208 (9Mb JPG)

Source: http://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Navy-Bo ... 82019-1122

[spazsinbad]

MQ-25A T1 - 1st Test Flight MidAmerica Airport 19 Sep '19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puf_kzT6m4c


_________________________________________________

MQ-25 Boeing First Test Flight Approach TouchDowns ONLY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xieoh9Va7iY

[mixelflick]

OK so.. I get the stingray will be the new tanker. Odd fuselage/shape though, that's for sure.

Where does that leave the X-47B though? They're just going to ditch it, or was it proof of concept only??

[rheonomic]

Where does that leave the X-47B though? They're just going to ditch it, or was it proof of concept only??

RUMINT I heard was that NGC and the Navy's program office did not get along.

[spazsinbad]

"...Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray is slated to take its first flight at sea no earlier than 2022, and is scheduled to begin operations in 2024 — faster, if the U.S. Navy can find a way....

...During Thursday’s flight, the drone took off from MidAmerica Airport outside St. Louis and flew a programmed route for two hours, said Dave Bujold, Boeing’s MQ-25 program director. As engineers in a twin-engine turboprop followed along in the sky, the drone returned to the airport and landed....

...The MQ-25 effort wasn’t always proceeding so quickly. In 2017, the Navy declared it a “rapid acquisition program” with a target operating date of 2020. But then 2019 budget proposal pushed that proposed date back six years. Now, it appears, the program is back on its original track — with aspirations to accelerate."

Photo:"A prototype of an MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone flies for the first time on Sept. 19. BOEING" https://cdn.defenseone.com/media/img/up ... -Air_1.jpg

Source: https://www.defenseone.com/business/201 ... ht/160041/

[mixelflick]

It's rather ugly..

But will look sexy to the F-18 that's almost outta gas, LOL. The X-47B's shape was much more pleasing, but I bet USAF has something along those lines already flying in the ISR game. Still, I think the X-47 would have been an excellent strike aircraft/loyal wingman type for the SH. Cheap(er), full up stealth bird vs. the F-35C. Not replacing it, but supplementing it.

It's high time the Navy gets back to a more mixed airframe fleet IMO, which has already started with the F-35C and now this. Can an AEW/AWACS version be far behind?? Given some Russian and Chinese AAM's are custom made to blast E-2's/E-3's out of the sky, that would be my next step.

[spazsinbad]

‘Boring’ First Flight Of MQ-25A Prototype Was the Result Boeing and Navy Wanted
20 Sep 2019 Ben Werner

"...The MQ-25A Stingray “T1” test airframe flew for two hours, flying in and out of MidAmerica Airport, located next to Scott Air Force Base outside of St. Louis. Boeing and Navy officials described the weather as perfect for flying as the T1 gathered performance data for Boeing and the Navy to review....

...The T1 operates with a ground control station that was built to resemble what the control stations will look like aboard carriers, Bujold said. During the test, there were no surprises as the T1 flew on a pre-programmed flight path and handled as expected, including during takeoff and landing....

...The T1 test airframe offers the Navy and Boeing the ability to collect data two years faster than the typical test schedule, thus speeding the time required for the MQ-25A to reach initial operational capability. The T1 lacks the refueling capability that’s a hallmark of the MQ-25A airframe, but the data collected now during the T1 test flights will provide Boeing and Navy testers with information about how the airframe operates in various weather conditions, altitudes and airspeeds. The plan is to hoist the T1 aboard a carrier to perform deck handling and ship-based control tests, Reed said. This data will help the Navy develop aerial refueling parameters before the first MQ-25As are built....

...In 2021, when the first EDM airframes are ready, the T1 will yield to the first MQ-25As for testing. Reed expects the first EDM [engineering development models] airframes test arrested landings and catapult launches from land-based systems by the end of 2021. In 2022 and 2023, MQ-25As will conduct carrier-based tests during sea trials, with 2024 as the target for the Navy declaring initial operational capability....

...Boeing plans to run similar tests with the T1 aircraft, starting with deck handling tests in 2020 and arrested landing at Patuxent River in late 2021, after the first MQ-25A is built. [...Northrop Grumman and the Navy performed carrier-based deck handling testing aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in late 2012. The X-47B also performed arrested landings at Patuxent River 2013]

The Navy’s mission for carrier-based UAVs has evolved during the past decade. Initially, the UAVs were considered to augment a carrier-based strike capability and to provide surveillance missions. Instead, the Navy narrowed its focus to refueling as a way to free up more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike missions.

“Stingrays can provide persistent aerial refueling that’s going to extend the range and operational capability of the carrier air wing and the CSG, and it’s going to improve the efficiency by increasing the number of F-18s available for the strike fighter mission,” Reed said.

Currently, between 20 and 30 percent of an air wing’s Super Hornet fleet is dedicated to aerial refueling operations. The introduction of the MQ-25A Stingray will free up those Super Hornets for strike missions. The MQ-25A will delivery up to 15,000 pounds of fuel at 500 nautical miles. Developing the MQ-25, Reed said, will “provide a vital tanking capability but also pioneer the integration of manned and unmanned platforms for the future carrier air wing.”"

Source: https://news.usni.org/2019/09/20/boring ... avy-wanted

[spazsinbad]

Boeing MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Aerial Refueler Completes First Test Flight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZbgbbwd0Ik

[mixelflick]

15,000lbs of fuel sounds like a lot, but when you consider a SH carries what, 13,000lbs of fuel PLUS the new CFT's? I guess it could top off 2 SH's, who've burned through about half of their fuel. Or 1.5 or so F-35C's carrying 19,000lbs. It's not going to be a KC-135 or 46, but some fuel is going to be better than no fuel.

Another question: The is obviously a low observable design, I'd argue one of the most low observable I've seen. In the picture of it re-fueling an F-18 though, it has underwing pods. Why would you jeopardize its stealth features with such? I suppose they too could be stealthy, but honestly - have we seen any EFT's or refueling pods that ARE stealthy?

[madrat]

The key is that it doesn't get weary. It's a lot more intense work for piloting to run a tank of gas out and fly back when a human does it when a machine can just as easily do it. The only unknown is the mishap rate.

[spazsinbad]

15,000lbs of fuel sounds like a lot, but when you consider a SH carries what, 13,000lbs of fuel PLUS the new CFT's? I guess it could top off 2 SH's, who've burned through about half of their fuel. Or 1.5 or so F-35C's carrying 19,000lbs. It's not going to be a KC-135 or 46, but some fuel is going to be better than no fuel. [exactly + O/H BOLTER tanking]

Another question: The is obviously a low observable design, I'd argue one of the most low observable I've seen. In the picture of it re-fueling an F-18 though, it has underwing pods. Why would you jeopardize its stealth features with such? I suppose they too could be stealthy, but honestly - have we seen any EFT's or refueling pods that ARE stealthy?

From: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org ... 306f8.jpeg

Can you point to a 'stealth tanking requirement' please? Thanks. Other future missions have been mentioned - pods can be removed eh.