US: Carries out the first ever air-to-air refueling operation between an unmanned tanker and a manned receiver aircraft,

(Washington)  In 2006 the US Navy started its own strike UAV program, however over time the Navy decided to divert it program away from strike missions and instead concentrate on an unmanned refuelling UAV in 2018 the Navy declared the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray as the winner.

The aim of the MQ-25 is to be able to refuel 4-6 Super Hornet jet aircraft at a range of 500 miles. That goal became a lot closer last week when the first ever refueling of a manned aircraft by a an unmanned one took place:

History in flight! During a recent #MQ25 T1 test asset flight, this unmanned aerial refueler for the @USNavy delivered fuel to an F/A-18 #SuperHornet — the first time an unmanned aircraft has ever refueled another aircraft. pic.twitter.com/oDs9Y2uQdQ

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) June 7, 2021