The US Navy and Boeing successfully performed the first maneuvers of the T1 prototype of the MQ-25 unmanned tanker. The aircraft performed maneuvers using directional signals from operations aboard the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77).
Directional signals are commonly used for maneuvering manned aircraft on aircraft carriers, these are carried out by crew known as “yellow shirts”.
Instead of a pilot taking the commands, however, it was a Boeing MQ-25 Deck Handling Operator (DHO) right next to the “yellow shirt” who commanded the aircraft using a new portable deck control device.
On the other side, a pilot controlled the MQ-25 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush. This was an important step in the certification process, which guarantees the integration of the unmanned aircraft “without headaches”, as if it were an aircraft with a pilot.
“The Navy has a rigorous and well-established process for moving aircraft on an aircraft carrier. Our goal was to make sure the MQ-25 fits into the process without changing it.”, said Jim Young, chief engineer of the MQ-25. “From aircraft design to handling system design, our team has worked hard to make the MQ-25 carrier-friendly in every way.”
The deck-handling demonstration followed a two-year flight test campaign for the Boeing-owned T1 prototype, during which the Boeing and Navy team refueled three different carrier-based aircraft – an F/A- 18 Super Hornet, one E-2D Hawkeye and one F-35C Lightning II.
“The Navy gave us two key performance parameters for the program – aerial refueling and integration with the aircraft carrier deck.,” said Dave Bujold, program director for the Boeing MQ-25. “We've shown that the MQ-25 can meet both of these requirements, and we've done this years before traditional acquisition programs.”
"This is another significant step in the Carrier Air Wing's demonstration of the integration of the MQ-25 into the flight deck of aircraft carriers in our fleet"said Captain Chad Reed, program manager for Unmanned Carrier Aviation. “The success of this event is a testament to the hard work of our engineers, testers, operators and the close collaboration and team of the Atlantic Naval Air Force and crew aboard CVN 77.”
The United States Navy intends to acquire more than 70 MQ-25 aircraft to help extend the carrier's air wing range, and most of them will be built in new facilities dedicated to the project.
