Southern Illinois is site of unmanned aircraft testing by U.S. Navy

Southern Illinois is the site for some leading-edge military test flights with the ultimate goal of unmanned aircraft carriers in the future.

The U.S. Navy successfully completed its first test flight of the MQ-25A Stingray from Boeing's facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah on Saturday. 

The Stingray is the Navy's first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft system, designed to serve as an aerial refueling tanker. By taking over the refueling mission from crewed fighters, the MQ-25A will significantly extend the combat range and effective strike capability of the Carrier Air Wing.

The MQ-25A took off and flew for approximately two hours over farmland east of St. Louis. During the flight, Navy and Boeing personnel controlled the aircraft from the ground control station and successfully executed a series of maneuvers and tests to check out flight controls, engine performance, and handling characteristics.

The MQ-25A ground control team will continue verifying performance parameters before the aircraft is moved to Naval Air Station Patunxet River in the Chesapeake Bay later this year. Eventually, a planned fleet of 76 Stingrays would be deployed to refuel America's carrier-based aircraft.


The Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray takes its first flight April 25 at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. The MQ-25 is the Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)