# U.S. Navy Awards Boeing MQ-25A Production Contract

The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a **$562 million** fixed-price incentive contract on September 14, 2026, to initiate Lot 1 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refueling tanker. This contract covers three LRIP Lot 1 aircraft and includes funding for long lead components supporting three LRIP Lot 2 aircraft, marking a critical transition from development to operational deployment. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in 2029, supporting the Navy's carrier air wings by providing organic aerial refueling capabilities and extending the operational life of manned fighter aircraft such as the F/A-18. This contract represents the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft system, underscoring a strategic shift toward integrating autonomous systems in naval aviation.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the significant investment in unmanned carrier-based aviation, signaling increased demand for related production, sustainment, and integration services.
- Boeing, as the prime contractor, is positioned to lead production and future Lot acquisitions, creating opportunities for subcontractors and suppliers in aerospace manufacturing and systems integration.
- The contract's fixed-price incentive structure emphasizes performance and cost control, relevant for contractors structuring proposals and managing risk.
- Organizations supporting naval aviation modernization should evaluate how MQ-25A operationalization impacts fleet capabilities and future procurement cycles, including potential follow-on contracts for additional aircraft and support services.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Navy (Navy)
- United States Navy (US Navy)
- United States Department of Defense (DoD)
- Program Management Air 268 (PMA-268) (PMA-268)
- Pentagon

### Vendors
- Boeing (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> This award validates our team’s hard work and positions us to deliver additional aircraft with critical capability to the Navy.
> — Derek Attwood, MQ-25A LRIP Program Manager

> Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams.
> — Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager (PMA-268)

> Reaching this milestone shows how we’re redefining naval aviation and expanding what autonomy can do. We remain committed to providing stability and consistent execution of the production system to fulfill our commitments to the fleet.
> — Troy Rutherford, MQ-25 Program Vice President

### Sources
- [Navy Awards Boeing First MQ-25 Production Contract - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/navy-awards-boeing-first-mq-25-production-contract/navy-usmc) - Defense Daily
- [US Navy awards Boeing first MQ-25A Stingray production contract | UA.NEWS](https://ua.news/en/world/vms-ssha-uklali-z-boeing-kontrakt-na-pershu-partiiu-mq-25a-stingray) - UA.NEWS
- [
	First Production Contract Awarded for MQ-25A Stingray > United States Navy > display-pressreleases
](https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4600670/first-production-contract-awarded-for-mq-25a-stingray/) - NAVY