Boeing's autonomy capabilities set new standard for aerial refueling
Boeing contract award through Air Force Research Laboratory advances next-generation aerial refueling team of systems with fieldable capabilities
With the increasing complexity of modern warfare and emerging threats around the globe, the need for innovative solutions in aerial refueling has never been more critical. Boeing's ability to integrate evolutionary capability into current tanker fleets helps ensure that the U.S. military can respond swiftly and effectively to adversaries, while proving the future of aerial refueling operations to maintain the advantage.
Strategic Vision: Boeing is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies into its operations, ensuring the U.S. military remains ahead of emerging threats. “Innovation goes beyond conceptual design,” said Scott Jobe, executive director of business development and strategy for Boeing’s Phantom Works division. “We’re focused on arming U.S. forces and allies with real, critical battlespace capability that gives the service a decisive edge over adversaries.”
CRONUS Contract Award: Boeing’s recent contract award from the U.S. Air Force, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), for the Combat Refueling Operations Network User System (CRONUS) exemplifies advancing autonomous capabilities for the operational battlespace. Administered by AFRL, the CRONUS contract comprises two key efforts: Boom Automation for airborne refueling and Relative Navigation (RelNav) to enable uncrewed receiver aircraft to navigate aerial refueling rendezvous. These advancements will allow Boeing to operationalize autonomy at scale with next-generation aerial refueling capabilities to extend missions closer to contested environments.
"This is a good example of the collaboration and investment between Boeing and the Air Force to deliver next-gen aerial refueling capabilities to the warfighter," said Sean Liedman, interim director of business development and strategy for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Evolving capabilities and informing the future
The award builds on Boeing’s foundation of autonomous aerial refueling capabilities development for the crewed KC-46A Pegasus and the uncrewed MQ-25TM Stingray, including flight-demonstrated autonomous boom aerial refueling and aerial-refueling-ready RelNav capabilities.
Under the contract, Boeing will advance these technologies from system engineering design through simulation, lab demonstrations, and proof of concept flight tests. Mutual investment by Boeing and the Air Force through the CRONUS contracts will further solidify the maturation and risk reduction of these autonomous aerial refueling technologies into fieldable team of systems capabilities to support a variety of tanker-receiver combinations, including both uncrewed and crewed aircraft.
Going beyond concept to delivering operational edge
The MQ-25 Stingray, the Navy’s first unmanned aerial refueling aircraft, is a prime example of innovation for the battlespace. Designed to operate from aircraft carriers, the MQ-25 will provide the U.S. Navy with a critical capability to extend the range and endurance of its carrier air wings. With the MQ-25’s exceptional range for autonomously navigating and delivering fuel, it will allow other aircraft to stay airborne at the point of attack longer, enhancing their effectiveness in combat scenarios. This capability increases the vital mission capacity of strike fighters aboard carriers.
The U.S. Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft recently moved to Boeing’s new production facility near MidAmerica airport in Mascoutah, Illinois to begin final assembly. Boeing and the Navy are partnering closely to prepare the aircraft for its first flight later this year.
The KC-46A Pegasus continues to be a game changer for multi-mission aerial refueling. Built to deliver data as well as fuel to the fleet, the KC-46A is expanding the range and battlespace awareness of the fleet—from fighters to cargo aircraft—for decisive edge and survivability in contested environments. Boom autonomous refueling capability integration into crewed platforms like the KC-46A—which has previously flown autonomous aerial refueling demonstration flights—could further enhance the versatility and aerial refueling battle management effectiveness for the platform and crew.
In October 2024, the Pegasus made its inaugural full-scale operational deployment after the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command approved the KC-46A for global combat operations in 2022. With Block 1 upgrades and other advancements already underway, the Pegasus is poised to continue delivering evolutionary capability into the battlespace.
“We’re in a position to integrate advanced technologies like these autonomous capabilities into today’s tanker fleet, while also informing the future NGAS team of systems,” said Liedman. Accelerating these capabilities through the recent CRONUS effort advances U.S. forces readiness to meet emergent threats that arise now and into the future.
Boeing's MQ-28, an uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft, has completed more than 100 flights, demonstrating the maturation of autonomous navigation capabilities toward operations.
