Yes, we're not looking at the low RCS variant, and things like non-optimised data probes and door edges are just what happens in design when you remove the requirement. Cost/time savings are always being looked for. Those are easy ones to achieve. Changing the OML and basic config are not.

Interestingly things like doors and data probes are also easy ones to revert.

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/20...-tanker-drone/

Boeing preps for next test of US Navy’s future aerial tanker drone

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier-borne tanker drone, the MQ-25 Stingray, is preparing to head into the fall resuming test flights, this time with the crucial fuel store pod attached. The store pod — the same one integrated into the Navy’s stalwart F/A-18 Super Hornet for aerial refueling — was recently integrated into the MQ-25 test article under the wing.

“When we resume flight testing later this year, we’ll have the opportunity to gather test points about the aerodynamics of that pod and the software commands that control it — all happening well before we deliver the Navy’s first MQ-25 jet with the same pod,” MQ-25 program director Dave Bujold said in a statement from the aircraft’s manufacturer, Boeing. “That early testing and early software development is a big part of supporting the Navy’s goal to get MQ-25 to the fleet as quickly as possible,” he added.

The engineers will primarily observe the aerodynamics of the pod mounted on the Stingray test article, then seeing how the hose and drogue behave while being dragged behind the airframe.....

Has the USN/USAF ever tried using an existing aircraft ,ie A4,A3,F-4, as a drone tanker in the past for trial purposes...?

I just hope it actually works better than their KC-46 contraption !
David

No they haven't. There have been trials using drones for formation flying and in flight refuelling in the past (X-47 did some of that work: )

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-refueling-pod


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1b6f58b30.jpeg

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Pr...ssment-and/no/

Navy Announces Release of MQ-25A Home Basing Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

The Navy has released a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for home basing of the MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based Unmanned Air System (Stingray CBUAS) at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu, California.

The Proposed Action is to establish facilities and functions at NBVC Point Mugu, California, to support home basing and operations of the MQ-25A Stingray CBUAS.

Under the Proposed Action, the Navy would home base 20 Stingray CBUAS; construct a hangar, training facilities, and supporting infrastructure; perform air vehicle maintenance; provide training for operators and maintainers; conduct approximately 960 Stingray CBUAS annual flight operations; and station approximately 730 personnel, plus their family members.

The Stingray will enhance aircraft carrier capability and versatility through the integration of a persistent, sea-based, multi-mission aerial refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned aerial system into the carrier air wing.

The Stingray will extend the range and reach of carrier air wings on the West Coast to meet current and future threats and enhance refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in support of national defense objectives and policies.

First AAR


Cheers

US Navy Drone Tanker
 

Despite it coming from the 'Daily Fail' this article nontheless contains some good pictures of the first tanking by an F/A 18 from the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray drone. An interesting comparison with Boeing's AAR platform for the Air Force.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...raft-time.html

Anyone know how much fuel it can carry?

Existing thread.

https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...rge-drone.html

As to the question - 15K offload at 500nm and then return to carrier.

Does it have drone to drone capability to extend its range?

No, not fitted a probe, nor the software and sensors to be able to use one.

Not yet....

Maybe, but a few years away. Last DARPA trial was back in 2015. Research contract put out to tender in 2017.

https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1208269

Surely, the way ahead is for a drone tanker to fuel a drone fighter ?

Interesting. Way back, when TTSC were proposing a 767 FSTA, Boeing resisted the concept of a 2- man crew preferring to design the cockpit round an additional crew member to operate the (automatic) refuelling equipment!

Deceiving size perhaps. I thought she looked small compared to the F/A-18F when passing gas in the air to air photos and thought a 15,000 pound offload would be tough to fit in that airframe, but then on the ground next to ground crew she looks quite, ahem, thick around the mid-section.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-refueling-pod