Boeing, U.S. Navy announce ‘successful’ MQ-25A test flight

Boeing (BA) and the U.S. Navy said they have successfully completed the first test flight of an operational MQ-25A Stingray. The milestone advances the Stingray closer to aircraft carrier operations, Boeing said in a statement. During the two-hour flight, the unmanned aircraft successfully demonstrated its ability to autonomously taxi, take off, fly, land and respond to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station. Boeing and U.S. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots facilitated the mission by sending the aircraft commands and then monitored its performance from the GCS at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., where the program is based. Once airborne, the Stingray executed a pre-determined mission plan that validated its flight controls, navigation, and safe integration with the GCS.