https://buff.ly/3y6P5Zu #unmanned #Boeing #northropgrumman #aircraft

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The Boeing-owned test Stingray, MQ-25 T1, passed fuel to an E-2D airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) receiver aircraft flown by the US Navy’s (USN’s) Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-20 during the event the day prior to the announcement.

“During a test flight from MidAmerica St Louis Airport on 18 August, pilots from VX-20 conducted a successful wake survey behind MQ-25 T1 to ensure performance and stability before making contact with T1’s aerial refuelling drogue. The E-2D received fuel from T1’s aerial refuelling store during the flight,” Boeing said.

This first contact for the Stingray unmanned tanker with an Advanced Hawkeye receiver aircraft came nearly three months after the first aerial refuelling test was performed on 4 June with a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet receiver. Both the Advanced Hawkeye and Super Hornet flights were conducted at operationally relevant speeds and altitudes, with both receiver aircraft performing manoeuvres in close proximity to the Stingray.