MQ-25A won’t be operating off a carrier until 2026

In its Fiscal Year 2019 budget briefing on Feb. 12, the U.S. Navy has laid out the latest road map for its acquisition of the MQ-25A carrier-borne unmanned aerial tanker.

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Graphic: Lockheed Martin

The service now plans to buy the first four aircraft in 2023 and Rear Adm. Brian Luther said initial operational capability will only be achieve in Fiscal Year 2026.