MQ-25 will offload 15,000lbs of JP5 at 500nm
Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker revealed to U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings that the MQ-25 is to deliver about 15,000 pounds of fuel at 500 nautical miles from the aircraft carrier for its mission tanker role.
Shoemaker added that this will extend the range of carrier-borne fighters by 300 to 400 nautical miles. The unmanned aerial tanker will also take the pressure off the F/A-18s supporting the tanker role.
“The MQ-25 will be much more efficient than the Rhino (Super Hornets), and it will give us the ability to get out there and refuel four to six airplanes at range.”