Drone for aerial refueling - Boeing

 Boeing’s Autonomous MQ-25 Completes First Test Flight with Aerial Refueling Store

- Ongoing flights allow for development of software components and testing of the aerial refueling hardware MQ-25 will use operationally

Dec 9, 2020

Boeing and the U.S. Navy flew the MQ-25 T1 test asset with an aerial refueling store (ARS) for the first time on Dec. 9, 2020. The successful flight with the Cobham ARS – the same ARS currently used by F/A-18s for air-to-air refueling – tested the aircraft’s aerodynamics with the ARS mounted under the wing. Future flights will continue to test the aerodynamics of the aircraft and the ARS at various points of the flight envelope, eventually progressing to extension and retraction of the hose and drogue used for refueling. (Credit: Dave Preston)