Boeing’s MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueller. Credit: Eric Shindelbower, Boeing.

Boeing has selected Rolls-Royce to deliver its AE 3007N engines to power the US Navy’s newest MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial tanker.

Under the deal, Rolls-Royce will install a single AE 3007N engine on each of the unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Manufactured in Indianapolis, US, the AE 3007N is the latest model of the Rolls-Royce AE family of engines and has been designed to deliver more than 10,000lb of thrust and additional electrical power to the tanker.

The $805m contract for the engineering and production of four Stingray aircraft was awarded to Boeing by the US Navy on 30 August.

“The US Navy intends to use the MQ-25 unmanned aerial tanker to expand the use of the service’s combat strike fighters by extending the range of deployed aircraft.”

The MQ-25 aircraft will be deployed with the navy to carry out autonomous, carrier-based air-to-air refuelling, providing the service with an enhanced refuelling capability.

Work on the aircraft manufacturing project is planned to be carried out at Boeing’s production facility in St Louis, Missouri, US.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Rolls-Royce customer business, government relations and sales customer business executive vice-president Jarrett Jones said: “Congratulations to Boeing for being selected to develop this historic aircraft in support of the US Navy.

“For Rolls-Royce, it will expand our UAV expertise with unmanned aircraft in the US Navy fleet, which includes the Triton and Fire Scout aircraft.”

The US Navy intends to use the MQ-25 unmanned aerial tanker to expand the use of the service’s combat strike fighters by extending the range of deployed Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler and Lockheed Martin F-35C aircraft.

The aircraft will also have the capability to be easily integrated with an aircraft carrier’s catapult, as well as launch and recovery systems.