What would it mean to the U.S. Navy’s ability to project power if its carrier-launched F-35C could instantly double its combat radius and attack range, increase dwell time over targets and launch offensive operations from more survivable, distant maritime locations?
F-35C and MQ-25 Stingray Drone Refueling
The Navy is about to find out, as the service recently conducted its first-ever aerial refueling of the F-35C using a test model of the emerging, first-of-its-kind carrier-launched refueler drone called the MQ-25 Stingray.
While the test flight took place over St. Louis in mid-America, the intent of course is to prepare the integrated aircraft attack and refueling system for maritime warfare and aircraft carrier attack.
“During the three-hour flight, a Navy F-35C pilot from Air Test Wing and Evaluation Squadron Two Three approached T1 (TEST aircraft MQ-25), performed formation evaluations, wake surveys, drogue tracking and plugged with the MQ-25 test asset at 225 knots calibrated airspeed and altitude of 10,000 feet.
From the ground control station, an air vehicle operator then initiated the fuel transfer from T1’s aerial refueling store to the F-35C,” a Navy report said.
