DCMA supports Stingray’s historic first flight

DCMA supports Stingray's historic first flight

By Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jessica DeSousa DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis

Defense Contract Management Agency Fixed Wing St. Louis personnel based in Hazelwood, Missouri, recently supported the Navy's MQ-25A Stingray's first operational test flight April 25. DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis falls within the agency's Systems Command.

The milestone flight was supported by the program support team at DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis, whose cross-functional efforts ensure the platform meets the highest standards of safety, cost and performance.

According to U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the Stingray is the Navy's first operational, carrier based unmanned aircraft system, designed primarily to serve as an aerial refueling tanker. By taking over the refueling mission from crewed fighters, the MQ-25A will significantly extend the combat range and effective strike capability of the Carrier Air Wing.

During the two-hour test flight originating from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, the unmanned aircraft autonomously taxied, took off, flew and landed. It successfully responded to the commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station, validating its flight controls, navigation, and safe integration into the air environment.

The flight represents a major maturation of the MQ-25A Stingray program and highlights the pivotal role DCMA plays in delivering next-generation capabilities to the fleet. Because the Stingray is an autonomous system destined for the high-intensity, high-stakes environment of an aircraft carrier deck, the margin for error is non-existent. DCMA contract administrators, engineers, and quality assurance specialists championed the collective effort throughout the development process, performing continuous technical oversight, critical inspections, and schedule monitoring. Their combined mission ensures every component and software integration meets the rigorous standards required by the Department of War.

"The entire Quality team felt a profound sense of pride and accomplishment in reaching this significant milestone," said Daniel Gehlbach, DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis lead quality assurance specialist for the Stingray program. "Defining and executing our DCMA role within a development-phase program has brought both challenges and rewards. From initial keel placement through the first flight, the team remained committed to building partnerships with our production, quality, and manufacturing counterparts at Boeing and the PMA-268 (Unmanned Carrier Aviation) program office to ensure risks were understood, monitored, and mitigated. We are excited for the future of the program and the enhanced capability it will deliver to the warfighter."

By acting as the independent eyes and ears on the factory floor, DCMA's multidisciplinary PST ensures the Navy receives a platform that is both reliable and lethal. Fixed Wing St. Louis manages a massive portfolio that ensures the health and readiness of the industrial base. The MQ-25A program is a significant part of this oversight mission, representing the future of unmanned carrier aviation. The agency currently oversees the program's $2 billion Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase contract.

The Stingray flight and program is the result of a robust relationship between DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis, the Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation program office, and the contractor, Boeing. This collaboration ensures production, schedule, and quality challenges are identified and mitigated quickly. DCMA's presence at the contractor's facility provides the Navy with a direct line of sight into the manufacturing process. By validating the contractor's quality management systems and monitoring contract performance at every stage, the agency's PST ensures that the program remains on track to meet the Navy's fielding requirements.

"MQ-25A's first flight was an incredible achievement for the future of naval aviation," said Navy Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager. "This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the tireless efforts of our joint Navy, DCMA, and industry partners. The MQ-25A is a direct contributor to our warfighting advantage. By increasing the operational flexibility and global reach of our carrier strike groups, the Stingray ensures that we can fight and win our nation's wars."

The Stingray is currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, with this successful first flight serving as a gateway to more advanced carrier integration testing. Once fielded, the aircraft will serve as the Navy's premier unmanned aerial refueling platform.

"This capability will significantly extend the operational range of the carrier air wing," said Navy Capt. Daniel Martin, DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis commander. "It will also allow F/A-18 Super Hornets, which currently perform the refueling role, to return to their primary multi-role strike fighter missions, thereby increasing the overall combat power of the fleet. As the program progresses toward full-rate production, the quality assurance specialists at DCMA Fixed Wing St. Louis will continue to serve as the guardians of the trust placed in them by the sailors who will operate alongside these autonomous systems in the next fight."

View the video for more information about the MQ-A Stingray.