Boeing has confirmed that the U.S. Navy’s first operational MQ-25A Stingray has completed its inaugural autonomous taxi test, marking a significant step toward introducing uncrewed aircraft into daily aircraft carrier operations. The successful trial demonstrates early progress in safely managing autonomous systems within the demanding and tightly choreographed environment of naval flight decks.
The test involved a controlled sequence of ground movements conducted at a shore facility, with the aircraft responding to commands issued by Navy Air Vehicle Pilots. The MQ-25A independently initiated taxi operations, followed assigned routes, executed precise turns, and performed stop-and-hold procedures representative of carrier deck handling. Navy officials highlighted that deck taxiing remains one of the most hazardous phases of carrier aviation, making autonomous reliability a top priority before at-sea integration.
Importantly, the aircraft used in the demonstration was configured to operational standards rather than experimental specifications. Boeing engineers reported that the MQ-25A’s autonomy architecture successfully fused navigation data, control algorithms, and safety boundaries, enabling predictable and repeatable performance. This level of system trust is viewed as essential for eventual carrier deployment, where human crews and autonomous aircraft must operate side by side in confined spaces.
The MQ-25A program originated from the Navy’s reassessment of carrier strike effectiveness amid growing peer threats and extended engagement ranges. Awarded to Boeing in 2018, the program focuses primarily on providing organic aerial refueling to free manned fighters from tanker duties. Capable of delivering over 6,800 kilograms of fuel at operational distances, the Stingray is expected to significantly enhance carrier air wing reach. Beyond refueling, the Navy envisions the MQ-25A as the gateway to a broader unmanned carrier aviation ecosystem, with future roles potentially including ISR support, communications relay, and distributed targeting assistance.








