# Boeing and the U.S. Navy conducted the flight tests of the MQ-25A Stingray on April 25 from MidAmerica St Louis Airport in Illinois.

*aerospace · news · 2026-04-28 · Heise Online*

## Key points

- The MQ-25A Stingray completed a fully autonomous two-hour test flight without external pilot control.
- Operators used the MD-5 ground control station, based on Lockheed Martin's MDCX system, to monitor the flight.
- The MQ-25A will replace F/A-18 Super Hornets in refueling, freeing them for combat missions.
- After further tests, the MQ-25A will be moved to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for carrier deployment preparation.
- Only one of four prototypes has flown so far; the Navy plans to procure 72 MQ-25A units later.

**Companies:** Boeing
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Heise Online](https://www.heise.de/en/news/Boeing-conducts-first-test-flight-with-autonomous-aerial-refueling-drone-MQ-25A-11274389.html)

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