The MQ-25 Conducts First Unmanned Aerial Tanking

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - The MQ-25™ program successfully conducted the first ever aerial refueling operations between a manned receiver aircraft and unmanned tanker June 4 from MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.

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[gcm]

I’d imagine that for the pilots it would be quite a bit smoother tanking behind an MQ-25 as it would be generating a lot less wash than conventional aircraft.

[johnnyfive]

Next unmanned refueling of an unmanned jet and the skynet lives.

[t.r.campbell]

But there is no cute little boom operator that the pilot can talk to.

[陳軍民-mg]

The near 3-point landing of the unmanned refueler is also beautiful.

[kevinpittman]

Awesome... hope everyone understands the significance of this achievement.... its huge. Way to go !!!!

[thomasjunkins]

This is sweet! Have a blessed week U.S Navy!

[nortyfiner]

Pilot: "I really hope this works because I took off with only half fuel."

[lbco]

This is some sweet tech. Well done to all involved!

[karlmadsen]

They are going to call this new plane the Calzone. Our enemies can be surprised by what we stuff inside it.

[ghostmost]

Russians: "But can it do the Cobra Maneuver"

[MulaBatiswaHutagaol]

1:40 Impressive, even the drone landing is US Navy carrier touch down style 😮

[daleblue]

No Doubt, the US is way ahead when it comes to war technology. Very impressive

[MidwestMotor]

LOL at 1:57 - I was totally waiting for a Top Gun moment to happen with both pilots doing the high & bottom-five hand slap!!!

[Poop-nuso]

USA: lol airplane refueling goes *brrrr*
China: WRITE THAT DOWN!!!
WRITE THAT DOWN!!!

[rogerscottcathey]

Waiting to see model plane RCers doing this next! Lol They will, too!

[kinzieconrad]

So you can lift off with extra payload then top off once airborne.

[FPIZZA]

What a fantastic event for those Aviators. Night before must’ve been a tough night. It’s always hard to sleep on Christmas Eve!
🎅🇺🇸🛩🤙

[Isaacmantx]

A navy pilot must have writing the landing code…. Because that wasn’t an Air Force landing!

[keirfarnum]

The real mystery is why both the pilot and WSO have the same last name. Are they brothers? Or dad and son?

[oculosprudentium]

The ultimate situation would be if the MQ-25 itself could be refuelled in the air from another tanker. That way as the stealth refueling drones are being depleted they can be instructed to fly to another safe spot to meet up with a bigger aerial tanker for a refill, then after being refilled they return to the meetups spot to await the fighters after complete their missions.
Currently I don't anything that indicates that it can accept refueling.