Войти

The MQ-25 UAV refueled a flying radar in the air

3440
0
0
Image source: Boeing

The MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based tanker drone refueled the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye long-range radar detection aircraft in the air for the first time. According to the US Navy, this happened during tests on August 18.

Boeing received a contract for the development, production and testing of four MQ-25s in 2018. The tanker drone is made according to the classical aircraft scheme with a trapezoidal fuselage in cross-section and a wing of normal sweep. Its keels have large tilt angles, so they also work as horizontal stabilizers in flight. The nozzle of the MQ-25 engine is flat, which makes it less noticeable in the radar and infrared spectra.

Last summer [...], refueling equipment was installed on the drone. The container with the "hose-cone" system was suspended on a pylon under the left wing console of the MQ-25. Last winter, Boeing conducted flight tests of a drone with refueling equipment and checked how it affects the aerodynamics of the aircraft.

The MQ-25 refueled the aircraft for the first time in the air on June 4. It was an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter. The tests were considered successful, and the MQ-25 became the first drone in history to participate in aerial refueling.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye long-range radar detection aircraft began receiving an air refueling system in 2019. It was developed and tested by Northrop Grumman. The system consists of fuel supply control equipment, a fuel line and a fuel receiver in the form of a rod installed above the cockpit. It should increase the duration of the flight of the "flying radar", which is about five hours.

The MQ-25 UAV refueled the E-2D in the air on August 18. The flight lasted six hours and took place at an altitude of about three thousand meters. The E-2D approached the drone at a speed of 220 knots, and then made contact with it. The MQ-25 transferred fuel to the aircraft, and the tests were considered successful. The tests of the tanker drone will last for several more months: it should demonstrate flight in different modes, as well as takeoff and landing on an aircraft carrier . Its production should begin next year.

For aerial refueling, Boeing is developing not only a drone, but also a KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. Earlier we wrote that he was allowed to use the "hose-cone" system under the center section and the rod in operational tasks. However, while in a limited mode.

Vasilisa Chernyavtseva

The rights to this material belong to
The material is placed by the copyright holder in the public domain
  • The news mentions
Do you want to leave a comment? Register and/or Log in
ПОДПИСКА НА НОВОСТИ
Ежедневная рассылка новостей ВПК на электронный почтовый ящик
  • Discussion
    Update
  • 18.09 09:42
  • 10538
Without carrot and stick. Russia has deprived America of its usual levers of influence
  • 17.09 18:08
  • 0
Ответ на "Быстрее, компактнее, мощнее: новая концепция эскадры от BAE Systems"
  • 17.09 11:43
  • 1
Faster, more compact, more powerful: a new squadron concept from BAE Systems
  • 17.09 10:26
  • 2
«Росэл» начинает выпуск новой линейки отечественных серверов для ИИ
  • 17.09 04:50
  • 0
Ответ на "На Западе предупредили о превосходстве России в возможностях ПКР"
  • 17.09 04:05
  • 0
Ответ на "В Госдуме рассказали о готовности применить против Европы мощное оружие"
  • 17.09 02:05
  • 0
Ответ на "Стало известно о превосходстве алжирских Су-34 над российскими"
  • 17.09 00:40
  • 0
Вот интересная тема: поверим, что евроНАТО готовится к "отражению российской агрессии".
  • 16.09 22:55
  • 0
Ответ на "«Крупнейшая модернизация в истории»: Чехия подвела итоги подготовки к войне"
  • 16.09 17:49
  • 1
«Крупнейшая модернизация в истории»: Чехия подвела итоги подготовки к войне
  • 16.09 16:53
  • 40
Горечь от потерь России в Сирии навеяла мысли о Калмыкии
  • 16.09 07:11
  • 83
ChatGPT-4 и нейросети (ИИ) спешат на помощь ГШ ВС РФ и Российской армии
  • 16.09 03:01
  • 1
Winter in Ukraine is just around the corner: What needs to be done to keep the lights on (CNN, USA)
  • 16.09 00:18
  • 0
Ответ на "В США напомнили о провале разрекламированного «Команча»"
  • 16.09 00:05
  • 1
Demonstration with force: what weapons were shown at the DSEI-2025 exhibition