US Air Force explores unmanned tankers after Navy MQ-25 success
The US Air Force is evaluating autonomous refueling aircraft to replace its current fleet following the Navy's approval of the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray in early 2026.
Navy drone program advances
The Navy cleared the MQ-25 Stingray for low-rate production earlier this year. Officials raised their order to fourteen units after the aircraft completed its first flight in 2026.
Air Force budget changes
Leaders at the Air Mobility Command conference stated that future refueling solutions might not require a crew. The service spent twelve million dollars this year to study a new tanker design before dropping that funding in its fiscal 2027 budget request.
Range remains obstacle
Commander Daniel Tulley questioned how the force could achieve the necessary scope and range without pilots. He noted that size continues to be an unsolved problem for building an unmanned tanker today.
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