Boeing MQ-25 Drone Achieves First Flight [Video]
Boeing announced their MQ-25 Unmanned Aerial Refueler has completed its first flight on 19 September 2019. According to the company, the MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, completed the autonomous two-hour flight under the direction of Boeing test pilots operating from a ground control station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., where the test program is based. See the MQ-25 drone first flight video below.
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.
Boeing and the U.S. Navy successfully completed the first test flight of the MQ-25™ unmanned aerial refueler Sept. 19. The MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, completed the autonomous two-hour flight under the direction of Boeing test pilots operating from a ground control station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., where the test program is based. (Boeing photo)
The Boeing-owned test asset is a predecessor to the engineering development model (EDM) aircraft and is being used for early learning and discovery to meet the goals of the U.S. Navy’s accelerated acquisition program. Boeing will produce four EDM MQ-25 air vehicles for the U.S. Navy under an $805 million contract awarded in August 2018.
Boeing says the MQ-25 will provide the Navy with carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling capability.
MQ-25™ unmanned aerial refueler first flight. (Boeing photo)
T1 received its experimental airworthiness certificate from the FAA in September, verifying that the air vehicle meets the agency’s requirements for safe flight. Testing will continue with T1 to further early learning and discovery that advances major systems and software development.
Boeing /US Navy first test flight of MQ-25™ unmanned aerial refueler drone September 19, 2019. (Boeing photo)
Source: Boeing
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