'Not just an aircraft': US Navy MQ-25 Stingray drone hit a major milestone with maiden flight — largest US UAV ever built set to become world's first autonomous tanker to take flight from an aircraft carrier and maybe feature in a Top Gun movie one day

• Autonomous tanker drone completed two-hour maiden flight validating core flight systems
• MQ-25A will replace fighter jets in aerial refueling role aboard carriers
• Further testing planned before transition to carrier qualification operations in Maryland

The US Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray autonomous tanker drone, the service’s first operational unmanned aerial refueler, has completed its maiden flight.

The two-hour test took place over southern Illinois, where the aircraft carried out a series of maneuvers to validate its basic flight controls and onboard operations.

During the mission, the drone followed a predetermined plan which saw it taxi, take off, fly, and land autonomously, all triggered through commands issued from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station.

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